By Amir Bagheri
(i)
I have been thinking about death a lot more lately. Perhaps because I am anxiously anticipating a few lives to depart in the near future; some of them are so dear to my heart that I haven’t stopped aching, since I found out about their current well-being.
I remind myself of the circle of life; trying to convenience myself to accept death.
(ii)
What am I
but a memory
In the minds of those whom I love,
I want my stories to be told.
For all I know,
I will live,
For as long as my stories are told.
(iii)
The last time I was alone with her, we spoke about love and marriage. This was perhaps a few nights before I left Iran for South Africa.
“I really want to see you get married. Inshallah, soon you will find someone as beautiful as yourself” she said.
I laughed. “Don’t curse me like that. What do I need marriage for?” I asked.
“You know, Prophet said that you’re not a whole human if you don’t get married.“
“I feel pretty wholesome already” I said and kissed her forehead.
She chuckled and whispered Mashallah under her lips.
(iv)
I have been reflecting on my life a lot as of late. I have been embracing my solitude more than ever. At the same time, I crave love and company.
I daydream a lot. I travel through time and relive my memories; good and the bad. I often question their accuracy. Still, though, they feed my soul and shape my identity.
(v)
For all I know,
I will live,
For as long as my stories are told.
(vi)
“You know, Prophet said that you’re not a whole human if you don’t get married.“
In this issue:
Film:
Documentary Premiere: Women in the Dark – Shameelah Khan
Film Review: Time Travel – Shameelah Khan
Music:
Mixtape: Time Travel – Amir Bagheri
Short Story:
A timepiece, figuratively. – Nomthandazo Zwane
Book Reviews:
The Flowers of Evil – Ibanez
BOOK OF THE MISSING – NKATEKO MASINGA
Poetry:
Toast to Turning Twenty-something – Michael Akinyemi Taiwo
Muted – Yamoria
The wailing taps – Zama Madinana
Like Something You Can Wear – Michael Akinyemi Taiwo
Night Sky – Bontle Mpete
Radical-Love – Shameelah Khan
On my way to work In King William’s Town – Nomthandazo NXABELA
The New Divine – Xola Stemele
uNontokozo (21/07/20) – Sithembiso Mdlalose
The Girl – Laura Thurlow
How to Kill The Girl – Laura Thurlow
Time Warp – Nidaa Husain
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