Poetry 2018 Longlist, Javeria Kausar

One Dingy Boat
(A Villanelle – 19 lines) 
 
One dingy boat sailed upon the rough sea
Though old and rickety and almost falling apart,
It was laden with hopes and dreams many.
There were people, old and young, trying to flee
From senseless inhumanity; for a fresh start
One dingy boat sailed upon the rough sea.
The pain of leaving their home was grisly;
Each got on-board with a very heavy heart-
It was laden with hopes and dreams many.
Their sunken eyes had a fading plea for mercy
From reality they seemed to start to depart:
One dingy boat sailed upon the rough sea.
This vessel stayed afloat for a future carefree
It tried to stay afloat and tried to play its part;
It was laden with hopes and dreams many.
Alas! All that’s left now is unrecognizable debris
Owing to humanity who played NO part
One dingy boat sailed upon the rough sea
It was laden with hopes and dreams many…