For Jamal Khashoggi
They used our marriage needs to lure you, my beloved
to the Saudi Embassy in Turkey, my beloved
Outside day cooled to night’s concern, my beloved
waiting long hours for your return, my beloved
I hear again the Call to Prayer, my beloved
and wonder why you are not near, my beloved
It seems your life has been undone, dear beloved
hacked by 14 led by one, my beloved
15 murderers arrived, sweet beloved
in state-sanctioned secrecy they hide, my beloved
What can we do but weep and moan, my beloved
knowing now, you’re truly gone, my beloved
Your critiques considered measured, mild, my beloved
I weep for our unbegotten child, my beloved
And many days of unspent joy, my beloved
all the words left unemployed, my beloved
Words of hope that you might say, my beloved
All the ways you worked for change, my beloved.
READ MORE
Read Jamal Khashoggi’s columns for The Washington Post [Washington Post]
Audio Offers Gruesome Details of Jamal Khashoggi Killing, Turkish Official Says [New York Times]
Akua Lezli Hope is a creator who uses sound, words, fiber, glass, handmade paper and wire to create poems, patterns, stories, music, adornments, sculpture and peace whenever possible. She has published 125 crochet designs. Her poetry collection, THEM GONE, will be published by The Word Works Publishing in 2018.
Editorial art by Elle Aviv Newton.
