【by Emmanuel Gezahegne Mitikie】

I heard someone ask for forgiveness,
Pleading with palms outstretched,
They said “Hold space for me”,
“Remember me for my best moments,”
“Do not forget me.”

Where I am from we say ይቅር በል Yikir bel,
“Say that you let go,”
Yikir bel is the release of every pain that stops,
You from loving again.

Does it really matter though,
How we as people forgive?
Do we hold space for the best in people?
Or Is it that we let go of the inflicted pain?

I am too in love with everyone to give anyone away,
so watch me,
As I put a book on top of the chair next to me,
Holding space until friends stop by again,
Unfurling my hands into palms
holding on
is the way I’ve learnt to let go.