Just like other kids here, I learned to say good morning
in another language not knowing what makes up one,
some say Sabah al khayr is having coffee on bed before sunrise
& having nothing to worry about, only to see my grief
dance with the flame like a ghost then watch it disappear.

& because people here die finding home away from home
we do not say Sabah al khayr, no one knows what is good
about what the morning brings us, I only say Sabah al khayr
on the telephone to my uncle,

that is the only place I hear other kids laugh
like they are home & if you ask, did your father find home
before he died? I will say yes – if we could call the sea one.

 

 

*Sabah al khayr – Good morning in Arabic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash