I dedicate this poem to my sisters and friends who have extended a helping hand for me during this crisis time of fleeing from Mogadishu as a result of strife and conflict between Government/Ethiopian forces and Somali insurgents. These sisters are Huriya, Asha, Berlin Haji but along with them there are other sisters who rushed to me at time of need. They are Berlin Ali, Safi of AD, Hamdi Abdulle, Zahra Ahmed of somaliwebsite and Faduma Noor of Horn Relief. I also express my heartfelt thanks to all my friends and sisters at the Den who prayed for my safety and protection during my trip to Hargeisa and some parts of Ethiopia. I wish I had the pictures of the sisters i had mentioned herein but unfortunately they are scattered all over the world, most of them are friends whom I had met only in the internet but developed a deep friendly relationship that will last long. Kudos sisters for your moral and material support. Besides, I have received a good number of messages, both male and female, from readers around the world who had sent me their best wishes after they had read my postings at AD and the widely cherished Somali website of Hiiraan Online.

When alone in the face of quandary
Feeling helpless in an alien situation
Guarding yourself with divine verses
Reading Qur╝aan and Prophets╝ Salli
Of Qulhuwalah and idaa-waqaca
To wipe out undivine thoughts
But unable to swab satanic sensations

When alone in the face of quandary
Thinking everybody as your enemy
Standing in the desert like acacia tree
Suspicious of antihills overlooking it
Sticking out thorns in utter self-defense
Aiming a prickle at a perceived opponent

When alone in the face of a quandary
Consulting with your weeping pocket
Touching it every time like a sick child
Frowning from fear of its shrinking size
Contemplating to drink from a fresh pond
But never reaching a point to stop for a drink

I was sucked in such a despicable predicament
When I saw a ray of hope at the end of the tunnel
Sisters of love and distinction came to my rescue
My heart is out for them to express my gratitude
Without them where would I have been now?
Only God knows the answer, the creator
In whose hands we feel safe and protected