TE20 Migrant Mosaics

Portraits of Absence (poems) Fabiano Alborghetti Translated from Italian by Marco Sonzogni and Ross Woods VIII Sadik, 42 years old, Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina I am a hindrance, I belong to the nation but who’s to blame he asked me: I was born and raised here I’m no guest or intruder. Stripped of belongings exile illuminated the debris the back not yet pierced by bullets: at the side someone drying tears

standing with no belongings nor luggage. In front someone now takes my place and prays and is grateful for my loss. I am infamy: marching, departing

head down.

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