Commissioned Poetry

Awel horuu nagu dhacay cudurkuu, oodda nagu rogayeKedis buu ahaa isbeddelkuu, iyo lama filaaneAlla muxuu na oof jabiyey oo, aakhiro noo jeediyey Abaaroow guriga gegida haddaa, argagax taalaayeKala seegtay hooyo iyo ilmo, aqalku waa yaabeDunidiyo arliga baa rogan waa, xaal aduuneed’e Maxaa ab iyo tagay hooyo iyo, odayo waaweeyne Maxaa dhalin agoomoobay iyo, cunug ababin weliyeMaxaa…

It’s like I’m back in the flat again – its walls, sun-licked and sand-swept the smell of baby powder and wet wipes. Mum asks us to wash our hands and shed the outside before we crossthe threshold of her bedroom to hold my baby sister. Dayspour into nights, the din of trafficand azaan is all I know of…

I didn’t expect to be nervous. In the morning, light shone through the coloured glass.I was nervous, but happy. After losing auntie, after losing my best friend, I said please don’t point your temperature gun at my head. We  watched the news. We worked 84 hours a week and only received a rainbow badge. He lost his work overnight. Never ending screen time. I’ve not danced with anyone in a year. My daughter was born. I got to…

Part of “A drop of hope”, a collection of poetry inspired by the words of those who have been vaccinated at the Francis Crick Institute, the reflections of vaccination volunteers, and the experiences of local communities

Part of “A drop of hope”, a collection of poetry inspired by the words of those who have been vaccinated at the Francis Crick Institute, the reflections of vaccination volunteers, and the experiences of local communities