‘Never forget’ they said

‘Never forget’ they said

(Translated from Turkish. Inspired by a Tv-drama)

Always be courageous, they said

Never be afraid, they said

This is life’s first lesson

Never forget, they said

Always be strong, they said

Never cry, they said

This is life’s second lesson

Never forget, they said

I memorized life’s lessons

I hid my fears within me

I buried my tears within my body

And this way I continued life

For years, I buried so many things within myself

That it seemed I had turned into a cemetery

A cemetery nobody visited

Perhaps I had become an invisible cemetery

While being alone, while being lonely

Always be courageous, they said

Never be afraid, they said

This is life’s first lesson

Never forget, they said

5 January 2023, Amsterdam