Arabic Sestina Poem by David N. Munene

What happened to the peaceful Arab?
What is wrong with the Arab World?
Where is the serenity and tranquility?
Why do they fill the streets with placards?
Are they now bunches of fluffy feathers?
Blown away by the slightest of winds?

Heard ‘em say that change is in the winds
That for as long as you are an Arab
Cries for newness must ruffle your feathers
Causing you to show it to the World
Expressing messages to the media on placards
Squandering any sign of tranquility

The Arabs were an exemplar of tranquility
That soothed the world like do summer winds
With oil-written love on romantic placards
Honoured and privileged to be an Arab
Respect commanded from the entire World
Especially poor nations with plucked feathers

The Pharaoh’s have plucked their feathers
Getting tired of the ancient tranquility
Bored of being a pyramid show to the World
Disgusted by the presence of cool winds
Upset by the power vested in one Arab
Whose throne they show red cards on placards

The message is clear on the placards
They are messing with one bird’s feathers
Who to them should now be just an Arab
Whose palatial presence threatens tranquility
Scaring away the phobia-ghosts in the winds
Sharing the ghosts with a selected world

What if there was a way to heal the world
Without cutting trees to make many placards?
Without tossing ugly scenes to the Holy winds?
Or hurting the peace with angry feathers?
Seek oh ye not to destroy the tranquility
That binds an Arab to an Arab

The World suffers ruffled feathers
With winds of fury blowing from an Arab
Whose Arabic placards threaten usual tranquility