Written by This poem is written by Prof. Ilan Kelman, inspired by the recently published Refuge in a Moving World Open Access volume edited by Refugee Hosts PI Prof. Elena Fiddian-Qasmiyeh. Ilan’s chapter in the book, “Does climate change cause migration?” (pp. 123 – 133) examines if climate change has a direct and causative affect on forced migration, or if there are multiple and intersecting causes of forced migration. You can read Ilan’s chapter, and the entire 32 chapter volume here.
From Home to Home
by Ilan Kelman, UCL
This poem of the motion
Describes the ceaseless sea
Aroused by the soft breeze
Conversing with the shore.
This poem of the movement
Drinks dust up from the trail
Coerced by wild wind
Mirages through the heat.
This poem of migration
Hides qualms about the choice
To leave and start anew
For gain, for loss, for us.
This poem of escaping
Farewells the chilling kiss
For love that’s cleaved by flight
The eyes soon cease their gaze.
This poem of refugee
Leaves everything behind.
Breaks bonds which made a life.
Starts raw from all that’s gone.
This poem entangling time
The past that never will
The future never was
The present cannot be.
These poems of the refuge
Freeze fears of what might be
Hold hopes for what could come
Weeps pain and cries with joy.
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If you found this post of interest please visit our Creative Archive or the recommended readings below:
Fiddian-Qasmiyeh, E. and Qasmiyeh, E. (2019) The Third Voice and The Third Eye in Our Photo-Poetic Reflections
Qasmiyeh, Y. M. (2020) The Bomb Shelter
Qasmiyeh, Y. M. (2020) With a Third Eye I See, The Catastrophe
Qasmiyeh, Y. M. (2019) The Throne
Featured image: On the Move, Jordan, 2018. (c) E. Fiddian-Qasmiyeh
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