The school play

In a dusty play ground in Kabul
cleared of landmines
three boys play football
till the shadows sketch long
till the curfew starts
Jameel & Ahmed kick the ball
while Rafeek
keeps the goal
with his wooden leg
it is hard to kick
you know

At a small dinner table
a family listens
to their daughter’s script
for the school play
the father gulps water
it is hard to swallow
with emotions
heavy
sitting a lump
in one’s throat
you know