Sex Sonnet by Zeina Hashem Beck

Wasafiri is pleased to share 'Sex Sonnet' by Zeina Hashem Beck, a poem specially commissioned to mark the publication of our our 40^th Anniversary Issue, Wasafiri 119: Futurisms.

Wasafiri 119: Futurisms is available to order now, or you can purchase the Wasafiri anniversary bundle, giving you deep insight into the history and trajectory of the magazine and literary landscape across four decades.

Sex Sonnet

To kill the Lazarus calla lilies —
if only we could. Return, remind me
of death. See how birds fly & unbury.
If we have to begin again, let’s talk
about the scent of coffee. Start with fresh
regret & chat of the stupid weather.
Spare me the how-are-yous because you know
I’m unwell. Point to the moon above us,
musical note on electricity
wires. Fuck the rites: I burned papers I
loaded with fear — it rebounds. I’m made of
heart, basketball that won’t still, won’t remain
on this lost planet. Here in medias res,
I thrive. I look with breasts, I eat with eyes.

I thrive. I look with breasts, I eat with eyes
on this lost planet. Here in medias res:
heart (basketball that won’t still, won’t remain
loaded with fear) — it rebounds! I’m made of
wires. Fuck the rites. I burned papers. I,
musical note on electricity,
I’m on. Well, point to the moon above us,
spare me the how-are-yous because you know
regret & chat of the stupid weather.
About the scent of coffee, let’s start with fresh.
If we have to begin again, let’s talk
of death. See how birds fly & unbury —
if only we could return. Remind me
to kill the Lazarus calla lilies.

Photo by Winston Chen on Unsplash