Mulberry Tree
by Betty Blair

From Azerbaijan International, Spring 2004 (AI 12.1)
This magazine which contains the English translations of 26 Azerbaijani writers may be ordered at AZER.com - AI STORE

(Baku, June 2003, devastated by the loss of civilian life, now estimated to be at least 10,000, caused by the U.S. attack on Iraq).

Last night
The voracious gusts of winds in Baku
Raped the Mulberry tree
And left all its delicious, delicate fruit
Abandoned, strewn across the roadway,
In front of unknowing vehicles.

Dusty berries,
Purples stains,
Life's juices squished out on the pavement.

This fruit-these life-giving berries
Are all lost this year-
Forever lost.

Will summer come again next year?
Does it make any difference
To those crushed this season?

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