A poem to honor the memory of Mahsa Amini
So much to repair
I feel in despair
her name was Mahsa
an innocent life lost
forever
families destroyed
dreams unfilled
the beatings and bruisings
suffocate my soul
and hurt my heart
I am in tears this morning
the pictures of her face
have me feel even more pain
it is time for a collective about face
someone sworn to protect and serve
another human
found it in them
to take life so senselessly
the disease of oppression, patriarchy and caste
continues to put women last
this must come to an end
we must be steadfast
it is time to take responsibility
like the courageous women
in the streets of Iran
being so brave
to show us
that Mahsa Amini will never die in vain
her memory will forever remain
her pictures reveal a beautiful spirit
forever taken
but there is no time to be shaken
it is time to awaken
we have a choice
to amplify our collective voice
that Mahsa’s spirit
will always know
whether near or far
no human will ever again
be subjected to this kind ruthless
and violent insanity
we must ignite hearts
to live in a world
where one woman’s life
is worth all of us
all of us
I mean all of us
deciding to stand for
our common humanity
So do we
do we have it in us
do we have enough character
do we have the courage
and do we have the honor
to look up and see
that no one is yet free
until we never again
let this be
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