There are floods, there are wars
In blood Somalia is swimming
In poverty Somalia is drowning
And in water Somalia is sinking
Its territory is reduced to lands
It's people are in total disintegration
It is a tattered nation in great shock
And its leaders are at loggerheads
They are just like boxing gloves
Worn by various interest groups
They lost ownership of their nation
One faction sides with IGAD
The other with the Arab League
One faction says we are Africans
The other says we are Arabs
What the hell are they talking about?
Don’t they feel the pain of the Somali child?
The orphan who is loitering in the streets
With no food and proper shelter
With no education and health care
With no hope and future to look forward
Does identity matter at this stage of crisis?
Would it treat a sick baby taking his last breath?
Suppose you are an Arab what would you gain?
Suppose you are an African what would you lose?
Why bring war to your country when you can get peace?
Why fight somebody’s war inside your country?
What is wrong with you, Somali leaders?
I think your hearts are galvanized with hatred
So the only thing you understand is revenge
Or you have your mind inside your throat
So the only thing you understand is money
Or your reputation has made serious cracks on its walls
So the only thing you know is how to make speeches
Abdi-Noor Mohamed
Mogadishu, Somalia
[email protected]