A Bag of Perseverance by Shahd Alnaouq
A Bag of Perseverance
Shahd AlnaouqI am to live in a tent, together with my perseverance.
Each night I wrap myself in her, begging her
not to abandon me on this long dark road.This may be the last time our survival is at stake.
I fear a damned quadcopter bullet will tear her away.
I fear my beloved perseverance will be returned to mein pieces in a bag. I fear I will stand at her funeral
before anyone stands at mine. What is life
without my perseverance beside me?What would death be, if my last moments
came without her in my arms?
KEEP READING
SHARED WITH GRATITUDE
This poem appeared in We Are Not Numbers, 2025.
ABOUT SHAHD ALNAOUQ
Shahd Alnaouq is a poet and writer from Gaza. She studies English literature with a minor in translation at the Islamic University of Gaza. Before the war, Shahd wrote in both Arabic and English—poetry and personal diary entries that captured the beauty of friendship, family, and quiet mornings. She also worked as a freelancer on the platform Khamsat. (Source)
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ENDNOTES
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