Abdi Noor, I am really sad that our people are not willing to see the wisdom in your poetry the way we would like. We always weigh whatever you say on clan scales. I remembered a poem by abwaan YAMYAM in which he expressed same frustration. The poem called, TACAB KHASAAR, goes like this:

Tagtadii ku eedoow
Timaaddada ku cayroow
Taariikhda ku xusnow
Qaran iyo tol wada waa
DAD SAMIHII LAGA TIRAY
KALIGAA DHEX TAAGNOOW
Waa tacab khasaarkii
Taariikhda ugu weynaa!!!!

Let me assure you that some of us read your poetry and use it in our daily lives. Keep expressing your feelings and I am sure it will reach the right people. Thanks, and rest assure that I am one of your poetry students.

Abdullahi

they are many poets who write for themselves ... and then there are poets who write to try to change things for the better ... such a poet you are ... never give up, your voice is being heard ...

Would that you poetry would make one "people" of all the world, Abdi-Noor. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Love and peace to you.

Regis

From people a writer must be born
To people he must write genuinely

And you always do, Abdi-Noor, and this person will continue to read what you have to say.

Related or not Brother poet, our people, whatever shade or hue, recognize each other via the revealings of their souls.

Nice to "read" you. blessin's. . .
cynth'ya lewis reed

I know your frustrations and, while I am fortunate to live in a place where violence and bloodshed are at least uncommon, I often ask 'do I have a people.' I wonder if writing these poems is merely self-indulgent or an exercise in futility. I don't know. But I can tell you this, Abdi-Noor, I believe your poems are like ripples going out from the center of a storm and when they reach we, who are your people too, they raise understanding and consciousness and hope. And my belief is that one day they will flow back to your countrymen and women like gentle wave of grace. Dawn

Abdi Noor, we can't do without poets like you! Keep writing and praying, that is our hope!You are a cause for good and a voice for your people, even if they don't yet realize it! Hang in there and do what you do best!You never know when your voice may be heard, and lives changed! GBY!;-)

Love,
Eileen

E x c e l l e n t. As far as I am concerned, we are all in the
same boat. Or at any rate, the same murky, roiling water. So easy
to get pulled down or carried away by a school. Great poem by a great talent. T h a n k y o u. 'Pea' <3

You live in a tortured world, Abdi-Noor and it must be very difficult to have clarity of vision amongst so many who are focused on futility. Your country is plagued by the devide and conquer philosophy that will never allow her to be strong. Someone must speak the first words, someone must provide the light that cuts through the darkness that has people following whomever walks by with a flashlight. You write of truth an honor, how can your words be wrong and how can you doubt your credibility as a poet? Just because there is no one in the forest when a tree falls, doesn't mean that it still doesn't make noise nor that in falling it doesn't impact the forest, because it does. Continue to write what is right and pray that somehow your words will be heard and people will unite in the spirit of good and save your country and her people.

Take care,

Sherry

Your poem touches me and I feel your frustration and I think I understand.Your poem is very good.
May I disagree with you on one thing please?
I believe poets can exist without people,I think that sometimes it is being without people that makes a man (or woman) a poet.Loneliness is the mother of many poems,solitude also incubator of poetry.Even the poems that go unread and fall to dust in darkness I believe go on to somewhere beyond this Earthly place.I would not fret for the people to read or to understand what you write or what you feel...you do not need anyone's permission to have an idea.Just write it and to hell with anyone who that hinders your free expression of self.
Poetry is not about reviews... it is about release.
You have rights,we all do...you have the right to grow and to flower and you have the right to drop your leaves wherever the wind blows.Don't them them chop you down mate.
Best wishes and good luck
From
Kay.

This is powerful. Also an example of uncommon bravery. I sometimes hesitate to post writings that would offend some people, or sometimes simply because folks disagree....you sort of make me feel like a whimp. Thank you for the insite.
Dan