Free Bird

Varvara Stylidou, 'Refugee Boat'

Mama, I was a free bird
Frolicking across the blue sky
Eyes full of dreams
And wings ready to fly.

Mama, I was a free bird
Until the day the drones came-
And took Baba away.

They broke my wings, mama-
Tore them apart!
But mama, I don't want to die
And mama, I don't want to cry.

Mama I can't sleep at night
I miss Abdel
The sound of his scream
Still rings in my ear
And keeps me awake all night.
Mama, he was the light of your life,
The joy to my heart
I can never forget the way his pudgy hands
brushed my face ever so lightly-
And on that cold winter night
It were the same hands
That lay lifeless beside me.
Mama, why did they take him away?

Mama, what do I do?
The pain is unbearable.
I just want to sleep in your arms
And listen to your lullabies
But mama, you're no longer here
And I miss you.

Mama, the boats have arrived
They say they'll take us to safer land
Mama, I don't trust these men
But mama I don't have a choice.

Mama, all my dreams are shattered
There's no hope
No relief.
Mama, I'm lost
And I don't know if I'll ever be able to find myself again
I just want to go home
But home is a distant memory now.

Mama, I was a free bird
But the skies are grey and unwelcoming now
And I've forgotten how to fly.