I love my country of birth.
It used to be sweet
like Ward Al-Sham
adorned with crushed pistachios,
rose petal jam, and drizzled with orange blossom syrup.
I miss the smell of its dirt.
Bloody rebels and their ideals
ruined my childhood.
I shouldn’t have seen what I did.
Me and the others refused their oppression
and barbaric ways.
You can’t convert people who know
the true meaning of their religion.
After a near-death boat ride.
Tears, terror and hunger.
We arrived.
It’s not Syria
But I have new friends.
I’m learning a new language.
My family and I, now safe.
Cover image by unknown artist, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
About the author
Emaan Yaghi is 31-year-old mother of three beautiful children. Her relation to people of colour has come as a blessing from being Muslim and meeting fellow Muslims from different countries. Her father is Egyptian, her mother was an immigrant. She enjoys learning about new cultures and is passionate about helping refugees. Follow her on Google+: Iman Design.