She was born in the morning 
and named with 
meanings from
Arabic and Armenian —

bringer of joy, 
a fresh green shoot, 
a delicate sapling, 
a beautiful girl.

A pink bow in her golden curls, 
she’s a few months shy 
of her second birthday.
Her first janaza, she’s with her mother

and sister at her father’s burial.
She’s killed in the mourning.
Shrouded in the green 
of her name.

Abeer Ameer is a poet of Iraqi heritage living in Cardiff, Wales. Her debut poetry collection, Inhale/ Exile, (Seren) was shortlisted for Wales Book of the Year, 2022. Her poem at least won the Forward Prize 2025 for the Best Single Poem. She is working on her second collection and shares readings on her YouTube channel.
Poetry submissions to thursdaypoems@gmail.com.