Kara
you are still and quietly
the city of your name
in 1895
no matter that it used to be Karin
and more important than now
your body turns to the same
battle from time to time
i wish for your bones
to find home
Milena
the journey is long
and an endless climb
to any answer you can accept
as an end point
don’t worry about each locked door
as a border
especially when you are tired
of the cycle of lies
i wish for your legs to trust
the ground
Aida
because you did not deny
yourself the stars
and because you did not deny yourself
the light from the moon
you also do not wish any less
for us
Defne
the spice whose absence is felt
even before it fills
the dish
boiling and full
of life
in your presence we become
all the colors
we are
Senem
like water you fit
into each feeling
and flow
may the rocks and earth
give you passage
Nurcan
life never stopped
being resistance
only we were brought
painfully aware
of all the forces
around us and within us
wanting to destroy
may your living
never be an apology
to anyone
Tuba
more than the animal
functioning for basic existence
you are echoes of a warrior
from all time
ancient
goddess
grace
Lusine
because you never worry
about the wholeness
of all your parts
losing
only happens
when you do not go
the whole journey
may you seek in truth
what you are looking for
may you find pleasure
in the seeking
Ebru
what does it mean to be strong
but the voice
that can push
through your belly
every raw truth
out
may you trust that voice
may you be unafraid
Hasmig
be still so the flames can contain
the ground
everything is a careful
meditation
catch each moment
the fire next time might burn
everything again
but ashes are fertile soil
for each new future to come
Tatev
even if the road has clearly been set
and your dreams never allowed to breathe
i dare you to whisper and know again
the wish that will set you free
Ruya
you are the song
the dream the feeling
that the sun will always come
may you close your eyes and surrender
to these waves in the water
bring you to shore