Slavery? In Libya? Only?

This slavery in Libya thing is a touchy subject, so it’s quite difficult to speak objectively about it; …for two major reasons:

1. This is slavery we’re talking about making its way back to the African continent where it began, some sort of homecoming.
2. I fit right into the racial demographic of the slaves being shown in Libya. What an insensitive perspective an objective one would be.

If I am to close my eyes to these reasons trying to bar me from having this conversation, and consider the case objectively

Rat Race

It is the skip in one beat which makes the subsequent couple feel stronger, harder, faster; like my heart is trying to compensate for the blood which it failed to export. That thud-smash, that whoosh-crash, that bang-bong, which comes after the ping- which never saw its pong. It is the expanding of the chest. This is not pride. In situations like this, my body needs more space for breathing because who knows, whoever can tell, the amount of energy the next phase of my life would require.

Royalty

Though I am a child
I shall conquer these grounds
I shall climb above
I shall command this landscape

Though I am a child
I bring with me an army
Together we would lead
These grounds on which you hike

Though I am a child
Under this sun’s shine
My leadership is resolute
Like this rock and its root

Though I am a child
I am your tomorrow
And when tomorrow is now
You too shall be my child

To be, or not to be, home

Swear to me
By the old gods
That these stone walls
We called home once
Would not accrue
Dust clouds of gloom

Noona

Two sister countries

One locked away in her room

The other one free

“Noona” © Yasky, 2016