MIGRANT POINT

Europe—
so there would be no misunderstandings
I learned some of your languages, 
but you didn't even try to correctly pronounce
my last name. 

At our first meeting, 
I cheered loudly, joyfully 
(like the people of my country), 
then I screamed in pain (by force of habit), 
and you warned me that here, after 10:00 PM, 
every sound is considered a racket. 

Europe— 
you surprised me, as I surprised myself, 
how did I become whiter and more blonde than you, 
how did I gladly join your protests 
against those I didn't choose. 

In the nights of your men 
with eyes of blue, blood of blue hue, maroon passports too
I saw  your dream 
but your dawns were never mine, Europe;
You made love to me, but never asked for my hand. 

Europe— 
you expected fairy tales from me 
those Thousand and One Nights 
but nothing fairy-like could come to mind 
from a childhood full of explosions and cries of war.

All the children inside me have grown old;
all the soldiers inside me have grown tired;
all the wanderers inside me are lost forever.

I craved your embrace to empty my mind, to escape it all
if just for a moment.

Europe, my heart is heavier 
than these 56 kilos standing before you, 
but if your heart doesn't ache for mine, 
then don't even plot for my body.
 

_Translated by Tamar Marie Boyadjian
Migrant Point, 2024