My Father, Lebanon

Lebanon,
The country I have not smelt, nor touched
The country never really in my thoughts.
The country I was told to love, told to respect
Mechanically praising from the land of my birth.

Lebanon, My Father,
Forever waiting, patiently,
behind your disobedient daughter

I turned my back on you
Prostituted your name,
Claimed another country as my own
While blocking your breeze
Pushing to reach me
Across the changing seas

Lebanon, my beautiful Father
I am now naked, shivering at your feet
Your breeze, once ignored
tortures me
Slashing me with the cries, the fear, the helplessness of your people

My people.....

LEBANON! Ya Bouba*, do you hear me?!

I am sorry, so desperately sorry.

Your disobedient daughter has returned
Your flag has been placed on my naked shoulders
Covering my shame
As I walk through a strangers street, praising your name

"Lebanon, Lebanon, Lebanon"



*'Ya Bouba' means 'Oh My Father' in Arabic.