Refugee

A Narrative Poem.

O, my mother, see this purple shirt.

I was walking by bazaar a man gifted me with his kind heart.

Come on sit down Raja and let me see.

This is the fourth Eid we are celebrating at this refugee camp.

Our motherland was a best soil I miss it in front of this lamp.

Your father is also no more as he was forced to die in the crisis.

Seeing this much hardship as a mother is a painful sudden surprise.

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Do you remember your father used to be joyful

on the eve of Eid?

He would bring new clothes, sweets and a small sheep for sacrifice.

He was not only a best husband, he was a father of good deeds.

O, my mother don't cry,

O, my son, are you also crying?

Come and hug me.

we are under hardship, life is examining.

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Where is your big brother Sultan?

He is supporting the shopkeeper to deal with customers.

At this tender age of 15, he acts like house master.

Let me see how much I have saved in my tiffin box.

You didn't buy a new saree for you mother.

No, but I have kept one, I'll wear tomorrow and offer pray.

Mother, see brother Sultan is coming and carrying something.

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Brother Raja see this dress for you and where is mother?

Mother will get you a glass of water.

Mother see this saree I bought for you.

The blue colour will suit you best as per my view.

Sultan why have you brought this new saree?

As a widow I am not supposed to wear blue saree.

Mother don't cry, it is blue not that much gorgeous.

We must live our life even if father is not with us.

Then why are you also crying Sultan?

Mother I miss our beloved father in festive days.

He left us early what I can say.

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Mother Raja was here , where is he?

I have sent him outside to bring me Ghee.

I will make some sweets on account of Eid.

That's why you can see in water bowl I soaked some seeds.

Mother, Raja is just 10 years old.

As a big brother I feel sad as our life is put on hold.

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Refugee life is very painful mother.

It seems to be a curse on us like monster.

My father and his forefathers and their forefathers belonged to our country.

They threw us outside in the name of religion as Rohingya minority.

Seven hundred thousand refugees are here.

Each life has horrific pain how can they bear?

---

Sultan tomorrow is Eid and we are discussing all this.

You know if something written on your fate.

You have to live with that, with or without regret.

Mother, it is long four years we are here in this hell.

Life is stagnant here same like a jail.

Sultan be optimistic in life as we have survived so far.

Any struggle in human life is not forever.

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Thank you for reading!