after Mustafa Kör

Comes a day when you
all promises notwithstanding
are no longer in
the midst of battle commanding
bread and love

The body proved a tool
that performs what the prompter asked

Done with the unrest
and the tragedy of hearts
The mystical had a star role
especially for you

You wailed across the world
when you became human and balled your fists
to face life
that wailed in unison that day
for the fate that would befall you
like frost on blossom

This poem is a translation from the Dutch. The original poem “Ontdooid” is by Belgian/Turkish poet Mustafa Kör. It speaks of life with a disability.