> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.opendemocracy.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# <i>No-man&#146;s Land</i>
- URL: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/article-1558jsp/
- Published: 2003-10-30T00:10:00.000Z
- Updated: 2019-02-14T22:48:28.000Z
- Author: Imtiaz Dharker
- Tags: #en, #Migrated, #Import 2026-04-09 19:08

A bleak view. A stretch of empty beach  
where we once sat;  
like chalk across  
a blackbird sky, the seagulls screech.

A chill creeps across the sand.  
‘Is there no way back’ you ask.  
I take the words for what they are:  
a half meant signal sent  
from no-man’s land…

We are countries out of reach

\* \* \*

Places washed by sea;  
places that men may trample,  
stamp across with heavy feet,  
batter with their bombs  
and bullets, shatter  
in staccato sound,  
still go free.

The victor is behind them,  
the gentle wash across the sand,  
a rhythm they cannot change,  
soothing away their furrows  
from the forehead of the earth  
with a mother’s light relentless hand.

([Imtiaz Dharker](http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/personpage.asp?author=Imtiaz+Dharker&ref=opendemocracy.net) from *Postcards from God*, [Bloodaxe Books](http://www.bloodaxebooks.com/default.asp?ref=opendemocracy.net))