Sorrow and Search

September 2 is the death anniversary

of little Alan of Syria.

Post this poem

to express our sorrow.

Little Alan on the Beach

He lies on his belly,
so small a body,
with blue shorts and red shirt.

Water around him,
sobs and whispers,
strokes him with tender care.

He cannot hear it,
neither can feel it,
does not speak, nor stir.

That very night,
his mom waked him

up from his dream.

He asked his mom,
Shall we return to

our country and home?

Five years of civil war
was a disaster of inhuman.

Half of their country

was almost a purgatory.
Portion of their homes

were already ruins.


Mom said,
We cannot go back.

We’ll go to
another country,

keep our lives,

seek a sanctuary.

The family came to the beach.

The sea was rather rough.
Waited till three in the morning,
they squeezed in a rubber raft.

Now waves were more high.

Wind was more strong.
With much fear and worry,
they bumped along,

Suddenly a gust of super wind,

and the surge of a super swell�
turned the rubber raft over,
threw all people into hell!

It was in this way,
three-year-old Alan,
came from Syria,

looked for a new land.

Separated from his dad

and his elder brother,
struggled with his mom

in the salty water.

Struggled and struggled

with all their power.

The sea was merciless,

swallowed his mom,

swallowed his brother.

swallowed him as well.

It seems the sea is inhuman,

In-deed it is also sentient.

War is the worst thing in the whole world.

People are slain or displaced everywhere.

In comparison:

Human is more inhuman,

The sea is more sentient.

Thinking he is so cute,
also so innocent.

How cruel are those war wagers!

Why is himself so violent?

Feeling really sorry,

as a measure of repentance,

The sea first swallowed him,

then spat him.

Decided to sent him back  

to his survived dad.

Gently pushed him forward.

Frequently wiped his tears.

Before day break,
reached the Turkey beach.

Said sorry and take care.
Tenderly put him there.

Hope his father

may find him later.

Find him a home,

safe and peaceful forever.

03/29/2016

Copyright open to the whole world

This is a translation from the author’s Chinese work