ዶግዓ (dog'a).

    photo credit: AP

hundreds of refugees traveled by sea
in hopes of calling a new continent their home.
when their boat's engine stalled and later exploded,
hundreds found themselves shouting for help,
thrashing in the waters off the coast of Lampedusa.
for over five hours, sea water foamed at the mouth
with bloated bodies, with desperate bodies.
those still living used the bodies
of their dead companions
to keep themselves afloat.
meanwhile, on land, the comfy were busy
tanning themselves in the southern italian sun.
they looked out onto the sea
they did not see drowned dreams.
instead of listening closely to decipher
the high-pitched cries for help,
they found it easier to think
of those floating specks out there as seagulls,
little birds honking and floating gently atop the waves
that surround their beautiful little island.