He called me Hiraeth
and I never knew why
he carried me in cupped hands
like water,
like evaporating rain.

He called me Hiraeth
and i never knew why
he held me in clenched arms
like ghosts,
like people he has already lost

He called me Hiraeth
and I never knew why
he dropped me through stratospheres
like atom bombs
like war, famine, hate

He called me Hiraeth
and I never knew why
he watched me through refugee eyes
like a burned home
like a train barreling into the night