Hope Springs Eternal Poem by David Wood

Mohammed al-Ajami wrote a poem
"We are all Tunisia, " Mr Ajami declared
"We are standing up against the repressive
Elite." He stated failing to mention Qatar,
His home country, but they sentenced
Him to life imprisonment anyway for his
Crime of writing a poem of hope.

A hope for a future. Hope to feel safe
And secure in the whole of the Middle East.
Hope for thousands of people despairing,
Shackled under the yolk of oppression
From totalitarian states quick to hand out
Long sentences for minor crimes. This is
A poem for all poets who speak out.

This is a poem for hope everywhere.
This is a poem for all those under the
Oppressive yolk of harsh regimes.
This is a poem of solidarity, standing
Shoulder to shoulder with poets branded
By the whips of oppression everywhere.
Hope springs eternal