Written during the 2006 Lebanon War.
This poem is a literary and moral lament addressing war, occupation, and internal political decay.
It condemns violence and betrayal by states and regimes — not peoples, religions, or identities.The English version is an adaptation produced with the assistance of AI.
The original Arabic text appears further below.Image by Antoun Boustani
Wadi Barada —
My longing—I am the goldfinch’s cry,
By it the orchards green and rise.
Do not mistake my love for theirs:
Mine is the bloodline; theirs, a mare.
Roumani Line 