Feb 17. 2016
So many times I said this word…
If I could, I would also bow at the same time…
I would maybe cheer
But every time, as if it were the first time, emotions overcome me…
At the beginning you are just a dot on the horizon…so small but with so many souls onboard..
Our binoculars focused on you,
Then we come close, agonising just as much as you do...
Are you alright…are you moving ahead…do we need to intervene…
Every time…I focus on one.. someone…I smile and keep my eyes there and derive my strength from him…
We move ahead… we talk to you… with our poor Arabic, but with the international language of love, solidarity, humanity
We stay by your side… so that everything goes well, so that your boat takes no more water in, so that you do not cry, you do not lose hope…
We can now see Lesvos more clearly…
We are almost there…
I still keep my eyes on you...
I am thinking…
What if I were you…
Which one of my kids would I hold in my arms?
To which one would I give a sedative to keep it calm?
To which would I ask to keep and eye on us all the time…
I would deprive all of them however of important things. And I am not referring to the material goods… I would deprive them of a smile, security, peace of mind…
We are almost there…we are approaching…
I don’t take my eyes off of you…
And you don’t take your eyes off of me…
You trust me...
I tell you we are approaching, you smile
And when we are there, I get in the water and come next to you… I help you with your kids, with the backpacks, I warm your cold feet…
(could I go through that? my babies?)
You hug me…I hug you…
And I tell you out loud:
“Υou are the heroes…not us…you who make this journey in this way”
Heroes!
Cover photo - Credits: EPA / Yannis Kolesidis
Feb 17. 2016
