Dora

Poem by: Ashur R. Michael

Translated from Arabic to English by: Sargon R. Michael

Dedicated to the Assyrian Christian people of Iraq. We shall not forget their suffering and sacrifices especially to those now living in, or forced out of, their town of Dora near Baghdad

From far away corners of Diaspora

I cry aloud for my beloveds in Dora

The town of ancient people of Great Assyria

Beautiful and bold

Its tranquil river surrounded by tall Palm trees

Its vast and fertile landscape

Oh my lord,

She is a beautiful young girl

Just ended her turbulent teenage years

Today she is a mature lady

No fear, no tears to hold

I love you Dora

Not some playful love,

Not some deceitful tricks you were told

But true and infinite love,

For you, in the depth of my heart, I shall always behold

A wide street divides its center

Surrounded by beautiful gardens

With plentiful fruit trees

Near the levy, at the end of the wide street

There it is, a beautiful home,

Looking like a deserted city

That home was ours

Where we spent long years of childhood

In the summer heat and winter cold

With memories of a two edge sword

Pleasant, like silver and gold

Sad, like a severed spinal cord

It is Eight O clock of a solemn night

When long ago a great revolution erupted

With it, in a glimpse of time, it brought,

Short lived glory and might

Children like blooming flowers,

Young men and women

Where love transcends in the street of love

In my beloved town

Tranquil and blooming

By God, if I ever be a bird

Would not want to land anywhere,

But in my beloved town of Dora