Projects

Poem by Dr Robina Riaz

Innocence

They dwell on the barren land amid the rugged peaks,
Wake up when the morning sun embraces the mist,
Climbing up the rocky flanks
Sliding down the dizzying slopes.

Playing in the lashing wind and the bitter cold,
Running and shadow plays – such games so old,
Ah! So many Jacks and Jills,
Carrying water up and down the hills,
Some carrying wooden sticks
Some running more to pick.

Unaware of the past,
Not troubled by the future,
Precious smiles – they have to be protected,
Turning them into tears should be prevented
Innocence in its pristine state is now needed more,
By this murky world,
Much more than ever before.

Dr Robina Riaz is a CAI Doctor working in the Shalman and Shamshatu Afghan refugee camps.