I glimpsed a child

Iraqi children

 Dear Reader,

Moroccan tea was first introduced to Morocco in the 12th century, BC, by the Phoenicians who settled in the country's north for over eight centuries.  Another hypothesis links it to the first settlers in Morocco, the Berbers, who brought a green plant with them when they moved from their original land in Asi.  Also another historical theory said that tea came to Morocco from Spain and the Portuguese at the time of their military attempts to conquer in the 18th century.

Some historians think that tea was first known to the Moroccan's through maritime piracy which was active at that time in both the Atlantic ocean and the Mediterranean regions.

Moroccans serve mint tea to their visitors not only as a gesture of warmth and hospitality but also kindness, appreciation and gratitude.  An ancient Moroccan proverb says; "The first glass is as bitter as life, the second glass is as strong as love, the third glass is as gentle as death".

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I have learnt so much writing these piece about world affairs and movement and how people live or have lived in the past.  It seems to me that people from all over the world have, for one reason and another, have wanted to move elsewhere since the beginning of time and records.  

So who are refugees?  I often wonder.  

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From Dorothy Wordsworth  September 30th  1800 in Westmorland

'It rained very hard.  Rydale was extremely wild.....We sate quietly and comfortably by the fire.'

From Katherine Mansfield   September 30th  1918 in Hampshire

'The last day in September - immensely cold, a kind of solid cold outside the windows....Don't read this.   Do you hear that train whistle and now the leaves - the dry leaves- and now the fire- fluttering and creaking.        Why doesn't she bring the lamps?'

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I glimpsed a child

 

on the kitchen chair

feet dangling

legs swinging

 

large brown eyes stared

from a dusty pale face

 

she didn’t smile or speak

 

about seven years old I thought

Syrian perhaps or Iraqi

her clothes once pink and green

now mud stained and torn

 

her silver bracelets sparkling

in the sunlight

 

I made her Moroccan mint tea

offered her cake

kissed her cold cheek

dried her tears

 

I fetched more sugar

but on return I saw

the chair was empty

the child gone

dissolved in the morning air

 

 

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With very best wishes, Patricia