Hannah Nazri
"A Picnic by the Sea"
In those years, when Papa and Mama took her to the sea
To collect seashells, to build sandcastles, to spend time with her
As the scintillating jewel in the heavens shone its mighty rays over the Mediterranean Sea
Whose gentle waves rippled and glistened invitingly
Beckoning the children to bathe in its cooling waters till they were cold and wrinkly...
There would be food so delicious that Mama always brought
Of dolma, labeneh, hummus with tahini
Grilled Mana’eesh with Za’atar, salata addas and baklava, too sweet to eat!
In those years, when Papa and Mama took her to the sea
To play ball, to play Frisbee, to be together
The fiery orb amicably flicked its flaming fingers over the Mediterranean Sea
Whose welcoming waves ambled back and forth temptingly
Beckoning the children to bathe in its cooling waters till they were cold and wrinkly...
There would always be delicious food that Mama brought...
Ah memories! What an extravagant, nonsensical thought
In this tumultuous conflict
Between human lives and the wrathful vengeance of Neptune.
As a giant lump rises in her throat, tears trickling down her cheeks, her tired legs kicking wildly to keep afloat
In the furious waves, as if emboldened by the chants of hatred and despair
Don’t bring any more of those home, we’re full up[1]
She clings desperately to the boat only to be flung into the bowels of the Channel
As seawater filled her lungs, she gasped
Mama!
[1] Sabin, L. (2021, December 1). ‘Group of Hastings fishermen block RNLI lifeboat crew’ from helping migrants at sea. The Independent. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/fishermen-rnli-crew-migrants-rescue-hastings-b1966959.html
Dr Hannah Nazri is a medical doctor, artist, poet and DPhil candidate at the University of Oxford. Hannah is committed to combining her interest in obstetrics and gynaecology career with non-profit work, not limited to youth education and women’s rights advocacy. She writes at https://hannah.nazri.org.