I'M Home, Habebty: Egpytian Revolution
*habebty: arabic for my love
*context: this year (2014) is the third anniversary since the egyptian revolution
Friday, he told me,
"Tomorrow will be a sad day."
"Why?" I asked.
"The anniversary of the revolution."
Of course.
When I had google searched "january news egpyt"
the day before to see if any new protests had occured to
block the streets and make him come home late,
the results still showed the carnage of three years ago.
There would be protests tomorrow.
I asked him if he was going to work.
"Yes."
Saturday,
I worried.
I wouldn't tell him
Not to go to the protest-
I knew I would have gone too-
Shouldn't I support what he believes?
But then I think
Red
Bloodstains on streets
Littered with banners
Left abandoned
White
Tear gas
Like the departing souls
Of the martyrs of the revolution
Black
Riot gear uniforms
Beat down protesters;
They've sworn to arrest
Anyone protesting today-
I pray.
I ask him where he is.
"I'm home, habebty."
He's decided not to go
Since he thinks it's wrong
To celebrate on a day
So many have died.
I breathe again.
Nearly 50 died that weekend.
I got to hear,
I'm home, habebty.
Copyright © Cameron Hartley | Year Posted 2014
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