Poem by Jyhene Kebsi A wave brought her mother here,  and they see these wretched as “illegal” waves They say: “criminals.” The torn ribbon affirms: Yes,  she will kill you, steal you, murder you with her toy, with the few remaining pages of her diary The diary in which she relates her story the story of her detained mother  who feared birthing … Continue reading The ‘Illegal’ Ribbon

Poem by Jyhene Kebsi She stares at her belly She touches her belly She talks to her belly Sinking whispers, agonizing whispers, choked whispers: Will you curse me  when my vagina ejects you out into this life? When you will be doubly “illegal”? In Australia,  you are the “illegal” child of an undocumented mother In Syria, you are the “illegal” fruit of his … Continue reading An Ode to My Foetus

Poem by Jyhene Kebsi My straps are weary of carrying her heavy breasts My straps are weary of carrying swollen breasts over a sad chest My greasy straps  are weary, like her torn slippers Tight cups squash swollen breasts Tight slippers squeeze bruised feet  My straps queue for food, medicine, toilets, the phone…. My straps are weary from kyriarchy Her breasts … Continue reading The Bra