Artist: Ahmed (@ashour1654), Flyers for Falastin

You told me “wait for me.”
You said you would return
and you did–
in a white bag,
as a body I can’t even see,
without the soul I adored.

Where is my beloved?
I want to see you,
touch your face,
give you one last kiss.

I want to warm you,
hold you,
and hide you inside my heart
or hide myself in you.

I touch the shroud.
I want to feel your hand,
leave a kiss on your engagement ring,
as I used to.
But where is your hand?

I want to smell your scent.
It means you’re here with me
and I’m protected.
Instead I smell your blood.

I lie on your shroud,
whispering:
“when will you come home?”
The food is ready,
and the children are waiting.

Tell me my love,
how could anyone do this to you?
Did you feel it?
Did you call my name as you always did?

If I knew,
I would never have let you go.
I would have hugged you longer,
tighter,
felt your heartbeats against mine,
told you how much I love you.

My love, why are you silent?
Are you truly never coming back?
If yes,
take my heart with you,
and wait for me.
I won’t be long.