Shaltami

It is often said that true inspiring poetry transcends time and place, and outlives its creator, and this can be truly said about the epic works of the late Libyan poet Mohamed Shaltami.  His defiant poetry of resistance, confronting oppression and calling for freedom was ever inspiring to many generations of Libyans throughout the years. In his poem (The Accusation) possibly written in political prison in the early 1970’s, Shaltami defies time and describes in vividness the fate of the dictator, and oppressor. It is a testament that despite all the dictators weapons of mass oppression, the people will rise […]

By: Mohamed Shaltami* Say what you like. And write with the font of the crown what misery has carved in us, And say, we are traitors, cowards With hearts full of men’s dead endeavors I fled, And left my shoes behind me, And left behind the bridge the voice of the killed east Say what you like, I am an infiltrator, A traitor, barefoot, dragging behind him a new disgrace Say what you want But I will not die, ever So you can mount my corpse to victory No, I will not die… ________ * Mohamed Shaltami (1945- 2010) Benghazi-Libya: A renowned Libyan […]