Goodbye

Photo and poem by Yasmin Al Rehani

Can I say goodbye to the land that flows through my veins,
That fills my being, in and out with every breath I take?

I must if I am to go on.
For one such as myself, there is no return.
My world is now the world of memories, dreams and shadows
Its physical shape has long gone along with all those before.
Our dust mingling with theirs..

Goodbye to the majestic palms,
Our mothers, the givers of life
Laden with fruit, sweeter than any other,
Shimmering in the summer heat,
and the silence of mid afternoon.

Goodbye to the dusty roads and their valiant thorn bushes, 
the lovely muted colours of the earth, bricks and mud.

Goodbye to the vibrant Jehennemiya blossoms,
the childhood laughter and friends,
trust, security.
our home, to my grandfather's house.

Goodbye to the tiny creeks and their frogs,
Flowing away into the river as I now go..

If I am to go on, I must start anew
In a land that is mine but is not.

If I am to go on, I must leave my shadows, my history
for its roots are pulling me down

Maybe one day, an archaeologist will unearth them 
And hear my echo?

But can a dinosaur move on?

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