PARTITION
A Government official drew a line on
a map and overnight we became aliens in our own country. Old enmities rose like
vomit – neighbours took our homes and land.
Driven by soldiers and by fear, we
walked for weeks, carrying our young and old, until we reached this place. At
first we were glad to rest, but the shelter was an illusion. Crammed in like
market animals, fighting for space and food, the noise and stink were indescribable.
Then disease came – weakened by
starvation, many died, and our prison oozed despair.
The day I buried my babies, even the
trees wept.
.....................................................................
The plight of refugees in many parts of the world is close to my thoughts while we prepare for a peaceful family Christmas here, so Dale Rogerson's photo prompted me to write this story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted my the lovely Rochelle on her blog https://rochellewisoff.com/
My book A Volcanic Race, which is for sale now on Amazon, is also available to borrow from the town library in Ingersoll, Ontario, which is some consolation in view of my failure to get a copy - or even a leaflet - into my local library. I would also be delighted if some of you FFers bought a copy of your own and posted a review :)
Dear Liz,
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written but oh so tragic.
Shalom,
Rochelle
Thanks Rochelle.
DeleteVery moving take on the photo, Liz.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sandra.
DeleteSo sad - and so real.
ReplyDeleteThe last line is tragically beautiful.
Thank you Patsy.
DeletePowerful take Liz.
ReplyDeleteThanks Iain
DeleteTragic and beautifully written, Liz
ReplyDeleteYou're very kind, Lynn
DeleteOh, wow, Lizy. That left me speechless.
ReplyDeleteSusan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
Thanks Susan
DeletePowerful stuff
ReplyDeleteThanks Neil
DeleteThis is outstanding. Real. Heartbreaking.
ReplyDeleteThanks Linda - what a shame it is close to reality.
DeleteVery well written, Liz.
ReplyDeletethanks Neel
DeleteWe've experienced this in India not that long ago (1947) so it's all so real for us. Haunting times our grandparents went through, I wish there was a way those fighting across the world could be made to understand the tragedy any 'victory' would lead to!
ReplyDeleteI had the India/Pakistan debacle in mind as well as what's happening now in Bangladesh and other places. The human race can be incredibly cruel.
Deletethis reminds me of what happened in palestine during the mandatory period. very sad.
ReplyDeletePalestine too.
DeleteA tragic tale beautifully told.
ReplyDeleteClick to read my FriFic!
Thanks Keith
DeleteVery moving, Liz. And so sadly real.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, your book is in my iPad, waiting to be read... ;-)
Ooh - thank you, Dale!
DeleteOh the plight of refugees... I expect this to happen over and over again..
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately it probably will.
DeleteAn excellent - but tragic - tale
ReplyDeleteThaks Ginger.
DeleteOh, ouch! You did a great job of describing man's cruelty to man. Sadly, we never learn.
ReplyDeleteThe trouble is that although many of us have learned, those in power do nothing about it.
DeleteOh wow Liz, this is one of your best.
ReplyDeleteThanks you Dawn - and thanks also for commenting so regularly!
DeleteThis is a powerful, tragic and timely story, Liz. Suffering is heaped on suffering. Good writing. ---- Suzanne
ReplyDeleteThank you Suzanne X
Delete