that you will put me in a gun
and shoot my loneliness from me
when I turn into a bullet
throw me into a river
so my swimming body can feel
its infinite freedom
when I turn into a leaf
sing me
at the top of your lungs
so the silence of my room
shatters,
after I turn into a song
light me up
till the darkness
around me melts
when I turn into a candle
trust the tale
of my tears
if I turn into a cloud
and migrate across the borders
feel me
and my battered skin
if once upon a time
I turn into you
About the Poem
Her work seeks to define identity and confront issues of equal gender representation and violence in male-dominant communities. In Iraqi Kurdistan that wants to give an image of stability and tolerance, in the past few months, there has been an increase in femicides compared to previous years. This poem wants to address the violence and discrimination that Kurdish women face in Iraqi Kurdistan.
About the Author
Sarwa has worked with an activist community doing humanitarian work with women. Her work seeks to define identity and confront issues of equal gender representation and violence in male-dominant communities.
Wonderful images throughout this vibrant poem. Thank you for the work you are doing in the world. The “when I turn into a leaf” was a particularly powerful stanza to me.
Thanks for your encouraging words Claire. Appreciate your care 🙂
FYI: (for all readers) there is a typo in About the poem section. They should have put femicide instead of feminise