When I was a young boy,
I didn't know what regimes meant.
Cared about my toys only,
I busied myself playing.
Sometimes, my dad listened to news on his antique radio.
I shared listening as well not because I loved news,
but because I loved my dad.

It was my first time hearing them.
I heard them talking about democracy,
freedom of speech,
human rights,
men rights,
and women rights.
I believed them,
and continued my days and years,
waiting...
I lived my life,
believing I would have what they talked about.

I look around now though,
finding the opposite,
after dozens of years.
I hear them over and over again.
They say the same rhythm every time.
They lie the same lies forcing us to believe them.
Yet, I didn’t hear their murmurs behind the closed doors.
I wish I could ages ago.

Mohammed Arafat
24-04-2019