if not for this exile

Hey, I'm here to review!

I think the strongest element in the poem is it takes a real situation that is poignant by itself, and pushes the poignancy by delivering the event in a poetic style. It also excludes the political nature of the event and focuses more on the humanitarian aspect, which makes it more relatable regardless of one's political stance in the issue.

It is also universal in the sense, judging from the second line of the first stanza, this is applicable to the rest of the world where exile exists as a result of war.

I think the second stanza demands more exploration since the questions given aren't giving enough strength for it to stand on its own. I think this is more significant by the repetition of 'exile', which brings emphasize to the issue without completing it.

The same goes to the third stanza that has only one line. I think there's more to delve into about poetry before war. How is it there before war, and why choose poetry? How does it compliment or juxtapose with the subject of war?

The fourth stanza is the weakest I think, since the part about the sky being an artistry is incomplete and needs more explanation. How does the war effect the sky, for instance.

The fifth and sixth are the strongest and effectively close the poem. I like how the fifth implies on music by giving a solid imagery, and the last one is powerful by how we readers are forced to imagine what does it hint about the present, which is, the persona doesn't know the songs anymore which brings him joy, and perhaps the rabab is destroyed as a consequence of war. I think these stanzas can be reference for the second, third, and fourth, on how they brings enough details to allow readers making a solid interpretation.

Since I don't really know anything about poetry, take everything I said with a grain of salt. In a bigger picture, this is a heartfelt poem and is important to be read by all readers. Keep up the good job!

I like how this poem is so serious. The sadness really hits the reader. I like it!

In this verse:
"And every other place emptied by exile"

I would put the word 'is'.
So;

"And every other place is emptied by exile."

I just get hung up without that. It flows so much better with that one small word in there.

"What is there left to write about but exile"

Is that supposed to be a question? Because that's how I think most are going to read it.
If it's not meant as a question, I would maybe break that sentence into two parts.
Like this;

"What is there left to write about? Nothing but exile."
I hope this was helpful.