April 16, 2025
Three Poems by Mohja Kahf
by Mohja Kahf
In these three poems by academic and poet Mohja Kahf, Syria is written not only as the site of violent abduction and imprisonment, but also as a diverse country suffering from Arab and Sunni supremacy.—Layla Faraj, editorial assistantIf you know anything, tell Maimounaif you met someone who’s been in prisonand may have seen them, tell MaimounaYou can’t mourn; to mourn is to desert them.They might still be alive, they are.—Mohja Kahf, Tell MaimounaTell MaimounaThey weren’t on the...
Read More
April 8, 2025
Two Poems by Banah el Ghadbanah
As we reflect on Syria’s last fifty-three years under the Assad regime and look to the future of the country in the aftermath of it’s fall, Mizna shares two poems from Syrian poet Banah Ghadbian which speak on past moments of joy and present moments of confrontation and reconciliation.—Layla Faraj, editorial assistantBanat Ishreh*I look at the photograph of banat ishreh, the secret oud circle my city grandmother heldwhile my country grandmother tilled the earthand think “is this...
Read More
March 31, 2025
Ink is the Strongest Gunpowder
are you a total fucking idiot do you know anything about gunpowder have you heard a hand grenade detonate have you seen a combat medic amputate eighty legs in one go do you understand what 75% saltpeter 15% charcoal and 10% sulfur can achieve
Read More
