This video was commissioned by PEN International for a solidarity action campaign for writers whose freedom of expression is at risk.
The video and the poem below are for Sanaa Seif, an Egyptian filmmaker, editor and activist who worked on 'The Square' documentary following the events surrounding the 2011 revolution at Tahrir Square.
Sanaa and her family were attacked in June 2020 while waiting outsdie the Tora prison complex for some communication from Sanaa's brother. When Sanaa went to the public prosecutor's office to file a complaint she was arrested.
At the time of making this work Sanaa had been in prison for 100 days.
————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
For Sanaa
I don’t know what to say…the words won’t come,
I do not hold your tongue -
though others try to mute with brute force
I would like to learn your language - hear the timbre of your voice
cry liberty, and if we are all one hand I offer you mine -
A handspan lined by choice with bars to register
the courage of a sister counting the days
paid for a letter bound by gatekeepers
whose syncopated steps spell hatred.
Your confinement is being timed, the clock watched -
eyed by those outside resolved to pry you free -
battling belligerent bureaucracy together -
remember as long as there is a camera
the revolution will continue to hold
cold-hearted mercenaries to account -
take captive the truth so the people can push back -
tracking every attack on justice -
The Square circled by the world as witness.
Meanwhile a sister waits to embrace her brother,
a mother keeps kerbside - scared for her son,
wrong-footed authorities are challenged by attorneys,
stories for the latest edition are written
by reporters without borders calling for release,
Soup thickens in kitchens with empty seats
a photographer polishes her lens,
friends share dinner by candlelight -
A very human right.