by Stephen House
there were initial promises
from the Taliban
to form an inclusive government
there will be no women
in government
women playing sport
is not appropriate
women will be killed
if they commit adultery
LGBTQ people’s mere existence
means an automatic death sentence
LGBTQ Afghans are on the run
fearing they will be stoned to death
under Taliban law
Ahmadullah says
the Taliban beheaded his boyfriend
on the day they entered Kabul
Ahmadullah is in hiding
UN and US warn the Taliban
we are watching you
what will watching do?
there were initial promises
from the Taliban
to form an inclusive government
Stephen House has won many awards and nominations as a poet, playwright and actor. He’s received several international literature residencies from The Australia Council for the Arts and an Asia-link India residency. His chapbook real and unreal was published by ICOE Press. He’s published often and performs his acclaimed monologues widely.