Freedom is never free, Abdi-Noor and the price we must pay to achieve it is staggering, but to accept anything less is to cheat not only our self, but the generations that follow us. I have no envy of you for having to watch your country go through these horrible changes that have brought you to today. I pray that Somalia will rise again and that the sun will shine brightly upon her and that brotherhood of all, will once again, become her focused goal.
Take care,
Sherry

This is a great poem, Abdi. Keep the faith brother, and do keep posting as this is the only way I'd know your still alive:)
Ukhti Safi oo ku leh, bal is ilaali, oo aad u ducee.

You are in a tough spot, Abdi-Noor, both physically and figuratively. Your poem reminds us of the importance of holding to our values no matter the horror around us. I'm no philosopher, but it seems to me that a society's dignity reflects the self-dignity (new word) of its citizens. This is a sad commentary on America, as well. All over the world, we need to pull ourselves up by our bootstraps and choose the high road. This is a very good write.

But I can’t just shrug my shoulders
Unless I act where I think action is needed

Words to live by - for all of us, my friend.

Abdi-Noor, again you capture the helplessness of a civilian in a war zone. One thought; perhaps if the last word were changed from 'incapability' to 'silence' it might crystallise the thought; the silence of good people in the face of hate or threat, the apparent lack of concern across the world.

Where is NATO, the United Nations, the African Union? Does the threat of retaliation from the hate mongering extremists stop us? Or is it simply our own laziness?

I fear to answer the question....

Keep probing; the world MUST hear your cries, for they are the cries of Somalia.

God bless - Fergus

As one who agrees with your feelings, I like this poem very much. This could very easily have been written by an American about America, though the rubble might more figurative that physical. Not that we don't have plenty of rubble here, but I think that here, we have more moral rubble created by the weight of our own arrogance. As for critique, one suggestion I offer is to change the last word. It's not so much incapability, unless they are doing and saying nothing because they are in a coma, though in Somolia, it could be that no one can hear or wants to hear your voices. You hit the nail on the head with complacency already, so perhaps the last word should be inaction, or perhaps even sloth from the outside world. Some might take offense at that word, but to me, if the shoe fits.... One minor typo, I think there is supposed to be a "to" in the second to last line between Better and die. But that's enough critique, as I think it is otherwise a strong poem. JJ

Painful indeed. Abwaan Yamyam Allaha u naxariisto wuxuu allifay maahmaah af Soomaali ah. "Meeshaadan tabar ku lahayn talo kuma lihid" after he saw what was going on in Somalia: The distruction, looting, rape, killing and all brutal acts. It is really very sad. In my poem titled 'ABDINOOR' I stated in the intruduction that you are an exceptional person living among the wrong people. No one understands the value of your wisdom.

Thanks brother Abdinoor for this sad one. Stay safe. Do not test the rubble. Your life is important to us brother.

Abdullahi

"Complacency"... sings the PASSIVE OMISSSION of over seventy-five percent of the country's population.

What the Muslim leaders (They control seventy-five percent of the country's population.) are doing or not doing to their people is what makes me QUESTION the DIGNITY OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT on crimes against mankind; The Permanent Court Of Justice and The International Court; The U.N. Security Council's five Lords permanent Members; (READ: RULERS.) and the UNITED NATIONS.

"On my journey to Justice for Justice everywhere",

Andre Emmanuel Bendavi ben-YEHU