original sin - 09/10/23
Art by Amelia M., Trinidad and Tobago
A collection of poems because it is all I can do. A critique of Israel’s occupation of Palestine and the genocide of the Palestinian people by Israel’s Defense Force. A reflection of how terribly we have failed the Palestinian people and how little control we had over that. A commentary of how the world has to watch helplessly as thousands of people are slaughtered. A collection of poems because it is all I can do.
original sin - 09/10/23
but my bravery has only ever made me a survivor.
but because I be not afraid in the face of your violence,
as you rest it in my hands,
as it wraps around my wrists,
circles my neck,
as it shoves itself into me.
but because I was brave,
there must not have been a crime.
The man who broke me said he was terrified I would fight back while he did it.
but wild thing that I am,
in the face of your violence,
I admit I was not afraid.
So you say there is no crime?
There was once a girl whose father had heavy hands,
Now all the heavy hands in the world couldn't hurt her, move her, sway her.
There was once a boy whose mother had a heavy hand,
Now he raises his first,
any hand could be heavy,
any hand could be heavy,
let it be his first!
Where do I put all of these things?
Why must you play God and,
How many will bleed for this original sin?