never stop hoping
people are shouting again
in my country
they are being kicked on the pavements
pavements that I walked on
eating simit with one hand
holding my father's hand with the other
leaving a trail of sesame behind
and giggles
young people are losing their hopes again
in my country
rage is bubbling
fists clenched
words stuck on throats
despair squeeze them, hard- so hard
like a secret
that is slowly killing you
but some things are different
other bodies are beaten now for instance
different news anchors don't talk about the elephant in the room
and police brutality on the street
other mothers are crying now
after their daughters
waiting behind bars
for a crime that is nothing
NOTHING
but caring and hoping
#neverstophoping #neverstopcaring
- it's been years since we sat down at the kitchen table
it's been years since we ate from the same pot
we are chewing words now
and spitting hate
do you remember
the neighbor's boy
we would play football together
and climbed on the same plum tree
i let you ride my bike once
and you gave me my first marble ball
but we forgot it all, didn't we
now you are wearing a crisp black uniform
and we became each other's enemy
but i remember how you cried one day
and i gave you simit
do you remember it
the neighbor's boy
