I Seek Solace I Seek Peace

Ro Hefzu

I lost my chance at education,

My possessions scattered like fallen leaves,

Obliged to forsake my heritage,

I buried my treasures deep in the earth.

Most of my kin have drifted away,

Our dignity crushed beneath harsh boots,

All in the pursuit of peace and identity.

In the end, I fled my homeland empty-handed.

In a democratic land, I struggle every single second

Longing for a life that feels truly living.

I lay bare my hunger to the world,

Some suffer in silence while others perish,

Yet, each flicker of hope is reborn,

All for the sake of peace and tranquility.

Still, I stand empty-handed and yet resilient.

In the evening, I wander the shore,

In the morning, I stroll through barren gardens,

At night, I retreat to a restless bed,

During the day, I often slip away from work,

Searching for solace and serenity.

Yet, I remain untouched and unfulfilled.

In my leisure, I lose myself in haunting melodies,

Sometimes, I pour my sorrows onto the page,

I seldom linger alone, fading into shadows.

On weekends, I venture into the bustling city,

Seeking peace and tranquility.

But still, no change has graced my life.

“Oh Peace,

Are you fleeing?

I have never seen you.

Grant me but a moment to feel your touch.

Only just once”

More from Ro Hefzu ↓

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• Ro Hefzu is a Rohingya poet and a writer currently residing in the world's largest refugee camp in Bangladesh. A survivor of brutal persecution in Myanmar, Ro Hefzu channels lived experiences of genocide, displacement, and resistance into powerful verses. He believes that poetry serves as a vital mirror reflecting human struggle and hope, and a potent tool in the fight for justice for the persecuted minorities like the Rohingya and Palestinians. Currently, Ro Hefzu is finalizing his debut poetry collection for global publication.