©Lozan Yamolky
Unless the city sidewalk
has even once, been your bed,
try not to condemn the homeless.
Unless you lived countless days
and countless nights
sad beyond words,
try not to pass judgement on those
battling depression.
Unless you have been betrayed
by a person you trusted,
try not to be too quick to criticize
those who have difficulty trusting.
Unless you have felt
the deep anguish of a woman
terminating her pregnancy,
try not to hatefully question
a woman’s right to choose.
Unless you have been displaced
in search of a new life,
in a foreign land,
try not to scorn a refugee.
Unless you have been ill
to the point of finding it difficult
caring for yourself,
try not to judge those living
in messy homes.
If you have never had to choose
between dressing well;
feeding your hungry stomach;
buying your medication;
pay your utility bills;
or keeping a roof over your head,
try not to be condescending to those
who looking poor.
My heart aches seeking freedom.
My spirit loves living life.
My crying voice sings beautiful songs.
My arms spread wide, seeking peace.
Reach out for me,
I am everywhere.
I am the needy
you just passed by.
I am the one
you just avoided making eye contact with.
Talk to me.
Do not fear me.
Come close to me.
Do not turn your back on me;
I am here
because I am a part
of your life’s journey.
©Lozan Yamolky
I’m No Hero
Published in 2016 by Silver Bow Publishing
Photo by: Helene Levasseur
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Published by Lozan Yamolky
First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge that I humbly live on the traditional, unceded territories of the səlil̓wətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) & xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. Thank you for allowing me to live on your land —Vancouver, BC Canada.
I am a Canadian citizen who migrated from Kurdistan —Present day Northern Iraq, in 1995 after spending over a year as an asylum seeker in Turkey.
I was born and raised in Baghdad in 1972, I am the fifth of eleven children; three boys and seven girls –one brother passed away in infancy.
I am the author of ( I’m No Hero) and ( Counting Waves ) published by: Silver Bow Publishing. I am dedicating my third book of poems ( Dreamers Needed ) to my teenage boys, Trey, 15 and Wyatt, 13.
I started reciting my poems for the first time in 2013 at The Holy Wow Poets Canada in Maple Ridge. I am currently a member of the Canadian Authors Association, Federation of BC Writers, The Royal City Literary Art Society and the Holy Wow Poets Canada. I am presently the secretary of the Royal City Literary Arts Society. I work as a freelance interpreter.
I was commissioned in fall of 2017 to write a poem about the refugee experience to DaCapo Chamber Choir in Toronto. The event will feature my poem “I am here” in spring 2019.
I was one of the recipients of the 2018 Distinguished Poet Award from WIN– Writers International Network Canada and was 3rd place winner at the 2018 Tagore Festival Peace Poems contest. Since first sharing my poetry in 2013, I have featured in numerous poetry events throughout the Greater Vancouver area.
My work has been published in The Royal City Poets Anthologies (Silver Bow Publishing), The Royal City Literary Arts Society online magazine eZine, Wordplay at Work, Creative Quills Ink Verse (North Vancouver), Celebrate Canada 150 and Culture Days From Far and Wide (Multicultural Creative Writing Collection 2017) and the 2018 Holy Wow Poets Anthology (Maple Ridge).
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