Parwana Amiri is an author, poet and activist from Afghanistan who is living in Greece since September 2019. Her poetry may seem softly written, but it contains hidden stories and bitter truths.
In the camps we face many pains, problems and tough conditions. When it snowed it was as though the snow could cover all our problems – covering the colours of nature and the colours of our pain so that all you could see was the smile on our faces. This poem is inspired by all nice moments that nature grants to us by snowing.
Illustration by Alexandra Nikolova (Ål Nik)
With this illustration we wanted to show the joy the whiteness of snow gave to everyone. This rare chance – to have it all white in Greece – was celebrated with smiles and a little bit of lightness in the soul. The drawing depicts one of those moments.
The bride of snow
Nature is becoming a bride
With a wide veil, bright white
The signs are sleeping at night
And thousand bright stars shine
.
The morning starts with sunshine
People stare on the snow outside
That covered the colours of the Earth
And coloured the mantle of old woes
.
Everyone smiles, cheers so high
Wake up their minds, go outside
Leave their homes, wear scarves
Build snowmen beside their house
.
They throw snowballs at each other
Share their love with one another
Telling the story of beauty in unity
And of unity nesting in modesty
.
When the world wants to fade us
Yet we prove our existence
Broader than rules and laws
With what happiness we bury ours