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Guantanamo Poetry--I Shall Not Complain

By possum

Poems written by the Guantanamo prisoners have been posted here at NION in the past.  Tonight we have one more poem.  These are posted in hope of keeping alive the dreams and ambitions of the men who write.  We must not let them be forgotten.  Follow over the fold for another poem from Abdulaziz.

The 72-page book edited by Mark Falkoff is now available for all to read.  The collection is writings produced by the detainees at Guantanamo Bay.  These words were written on paper, scratched on styrofoam cups, and etched into napkins.  The detainees managed in whatever way was possible for them.  The writing was one way to keep some semblance of sanity.

According to Falkoff an old Arabic saying says poetry arises from suffering.  In that instance the detainees will rise to the level of some of the world's great poets.

Abdulaziz wished not to reveal his full name.  He traveled to Afghanistan just after graduation from university in his native Riyadh, Saudia Arabia.  After finding his brother and planning a return home the pair were detained by Northern Alliance Forces.  After being tortured in an Afghan prison, Abdulaziz and his brother were turned over to American forces in early 2002.  Both men were subsequently transferred to Guantanamo and declared enemy combatants.  The brother has been released.

I Shall Not Complain
--Abdulaziz

I shall not complain to anyone or expect grace from anyone other than God, so help me God.

O Lord, my heart is plagued with troubles.

I shall not complain to anyone other than You, even if the sas complain of dryness.

My spirit is free in the heavens, while my body is overpowered by chains.

Praise God, who has granted me patience in times of adversity and gratitude in times of gladness.

Prasie God, who placed a garden and an orchard in my bosom, so they will be with me always.

Prasie God, who has granted me faith and made me a Muslim.

Praise God, Lord of the world.

Previous Guantanamo Poetry:

Prison Darkness

They Fight For Peace

Lions In The Cage

Is It True?

Peace.

Full post as published by Never In Our Names on May 17, 2009 (boomark / email).