a poem honoring the memory of Mahsa Amini: “do we have it in us?”

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
call 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
the courageous women
in the streets of Iran
being so brave
show us how to act

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
our collective voice
and make the choice
that Mahsa’s spirit
will always know
no human will ever again
be subjected to this kind ruthless…