So many people these days find themselves homeless, find themselves in foreign places after fleeing from wars, floods,famine, injustice,persecution and more.
Facing the climate crisis brings the prospect of homelessness very real to many more. War and walls seem to be continually on the agenda throughout the world. I belong to the charity Dove Tales https://www.dovetalesscotland.co.uk and our next event is on October 4th in Wigtown during the annual Wigtown Book Festival. Our forthcoming anthology Bridges or Walls will be out soon and our readings on 4th October will feature some of the poetry and prose from that publication.
How is it possible to feel that sense of belonging when forced to move to another country? It’s the actions of others that can help to make this possible by making them feel welcome, by inviting them to share meals, living spaces and time.
We have been fortunate in that we moved over the border to Scotland nearly twenty years ago and feel that this is where we belong. Our daughter moved to New Zealand fourteen years ago and considers that country very much her home. But our moves were entirely voluntary. For those people much less fortunate, we can only begin to understand what it feels like to be uprooted.
The Pianist of Yarmouk
some called him mad
using music to fight
he fought with his fingers
fought for humanity
fought for the children
as he played their songs
only salt water to drink
only cats dogs and grass to eat
senseless killing all around
so he played his piano
he played in the streets
the children sang with him
nobody came with food
but he came with music
he came with joy for them
he came with hope for them
Isis came with fire
killed his piano
hunted him
Fortunately this story had a happy ending. He now lives in Germany and is reunited with his wife and son. This poem was inspired after I had heard him being interviewed on In Tune on Radio 3. It’s possible to read his inspiring and moving story on the web.
Life's a Beach 