On my wall opposite the river window
I have a small painting of a woman
With raven hair and raven eyes
I have no idea who she is
But my father has told me
That we are distantly related to her
I am sometimes referred to
As a Roma Poet
Which is not true
I do come from Romani stock
And I can trace relatives of Armenian blood
But I lay no claim to be a Romani poet
When I was younger my grandfather
Told me about the Armenian Genocide
And asked me to promise never to visit Turkey
Until the painful truth is laid totally bare
I have had opportunities to visit this country
Mainly on business but also for pleasure
But I have honoured my promise
This has brought me into conflict at times
With those of little or no character
In certain ways I would like to know
This mysterious woman’s name
She has a haunted look on her face
As if she has seen too much of life
I would like to listen to her stories
So that I might share them with others
Through my thoughts and my poetry