No rest, no respite
for what they call a ceasefire—
mangled bodies pile up,
wailing mourners from makeshift homes,
unheard, unseen,
from the ivory towers…
turning a blind eye.
No rest, no respite
for those whose sumud is tested,
as the serial killer roams free,
during this temporary pause…
the people keep the faith, praying for peace
The Al Jazeera newsreader is upfront
“more than 242 Palestinians killed and 622 injured by Israel”
whilst the local broadcaster ducks and dives
there is no rest no respite
for those whose sumud continues to be tested
Now, they find solace:
Whilst the militant’s clenched fist rallies the comrades,
an elder, hands aloft, reads the Istirja’:
“To the Almighty we belong,
and to the Almighty we shall return.”
The imposters know
their time is limited.
A mourning people,
swearing:
this shall not last.
No rest, no respite—
…will justice be far off?
hassl (16 Nov2025 Soweto theatre)