Effects of War

In this poem I request the UN and International Community to look into ways of changing policy of refugees with particular emphasis on Somalis around the world. We are people without a state and we request not to be lumped with other people who have come from other countries with viable state institutions and structures. These people have even ambassadors and cultural centres to which they can reconnect to be part of their wider national communities. But we Somalis have nothing of that sort. We have nothing in these countries to claim as being our heritage such as museums or diplomatic missions or academies. Our children are born in the Disaspora without knowing anything about our past and therefore they have no future of their own unless they become part of their new society. The situation is not the same with other communities such as those who live in Europe and America. They are communities who have preserved and retained their culture and language for quite a long time. If we consider refugees and immigrants as patients who need support, then it is wise not to treat all patients the same way as some of them have mild physical injuries while others are in critical condition. Somalis in this respect need special attention. They are a people without a state. Thanks

At personal level
Family and friends are my centre
They are the source of my stability

At community level
My culture and language is my centre
It is where I defend my social space

At spirituality level
Religion is the centre of my morality
It is where my entire faith converges

At national level
The state is the centre of my existence
It is where my pride emanates from

But unfortunately

None of the above is in my possession
My family is scattered around the world
In the sweltering desert of the Horn
My language is dying from horror

I have my culture buried in the rubble
With no hope to have it back anytime soon
Between extremists and propagandists
My religion is being torn apart into pieces

We are a displaced people
We are the refugees
We are people without a center
We are melting in other people


Mistrust among us is rampant
Disintegration is our tool to integrate
The longer we stay without a state
The deeper we sink into pits of agony
Hope must be born to brighten our souls