The shadow of a tyrant is taller than him
much darker and thicker
knows no border of kindness and care
it just spreads like death grows in a besieged city

Damascus is far and the watch is frozen
the Christmas tree is waiting and mom is praying
the road to market is muddy
and the apartment has many hidden eyes

your memory is hacked by spies
and what is beneath memory cannot be said
the language trembles and emotion retreats
when the violence scripts its own grammar

The ocean grows in your silent eyes
your heart melts in the smoke of a newsroom
Peace is a vulgar word and love is suspended
we all are invisible footnotes of humanity.

(22/23 December 2016)