Ripley Mandanis

eulogy for Sean Bonney

say we’re going to win
say it loudly and often
take a deep breath first
when you say it
           say we’re going to win
 
when it feels false say we’re going to win
when it feels ridiculous say we’re going to win
don’t say hope
don’t say faith
           say we’re going to win
 
for “the quality of mercy” say we’re going to win
for “the philosophers of need” say we’re going to win
don’t say unprecedented
don’t say alchemize
don’t say seeds, wings, or spirit,
            say we’re going to win
 
for our disgust with the IDF say we’re going to win
for our rejection of zionism say we’re going to win
if you must say something else
say from the river to the sea
Palestine will be free
and then, as a period,
            say we’re going to win
 
for propaganda campaign say we’re going to win
for DIY art project say we’re going to win
for what’s the difference
for it’s fucking nothing
                          say we’re going to win
 
for i’m sorry say we’re going to win
for i’m working on it say we’re going to win
don’t say i’m a fuckup
don’t say i’m a mess
say i did what i thought i had to do to survive
say and i will do be better
say thank you
say i love you
and when you say all of that, pronounce it like
                            we’re going to win
 
for collective power say we’re going to win
for communal care say we’re going to win
don’t say election
don’t say terror
            say we’re going to win
 
when all the work left ahead seems insurmountable,
for so much of it we have yet to begin,
say it one more time,
one more time:
                           we’re going to win.