Afghanistan - waiting for the bus

Adèle Ogiér Jones has worked internationally for more than two decades, much of it in development, more recently in regions affected by conflict. From 2004 to 2006, when these poems were written, she lived in Afghanistan, leading the education program of the Aga Khan Foundation in northern and central provinces. Political themes are common in these poems, though more often it is the snapshot of ordinary Afghan people affected by the ongoing war, and the international security assistance forces and international aid agencies which feature. Many of these poems were written in desperation, some with hope but all for Afghan people whose voices have been lost in the weariness of war. 'This is not the snake oil version of events purveyed by military and government spokespersons, nor the confused swill of corporate media. It is a quiet contemplation in 54 poetic works written by a civilian woman in sojourn with Afghani people. A book to embrace.' - Rhonda Jankovic, Spoken Word, 3CR