You Only Cry for the Dead - By Damn_Etu

Written By: Damn_Etu

Category: Poetry

Competition: Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026

In the evocative poem "You Only Cry for the Dead," Damn_Etu brings forth a powerful narrative that resonates deeply with themes of strength, heritage, and womanhood. As part of the Poetry category in the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026, this work exemplifies the emotional depth and cultural heritage that poetry can convey. Damn_Etu's submission is an homage to the silent resilience and unyielding spirit of women, capturing their journey through struggles and triumphs.

About the Work

"You Only Cry for the Dead" is a moving exploration of the experiences and sacrifices of women. Damn_Etu employs vivid imagery and profound emotion to illuminate the unseen battles women face. The poem’s rich narrative voice and heartfelt homage to women’s strength create a tapestry of resilience and remembrance. Through its poignant verses, it delves into themes of heritage, community, and the enduring power of womanhood.

You Only Cry for the Dead

Original Submission by Damn_Etu

You only cry for the dead

To the women who hug us until our burdens drain into their bones and become our strength. The women who who have witnessed villages turn silent and hummed like graveyards. The mothers who held vigil at the end of buildings for those of us twatetekela. Women who moved between iivena, eengoma no omandini eembike. Women whose voices hung in between, coming out of their mothers’ wombs with shut mouths and leaving the earth with feet dangling above their creators mansion and the in between like their voices. Clutched by cloth that they used to hide their womanhood that they grabbed from their perpetrators, eembadwa. While the world only sees them as eembwada.

To you who have given us a place to lay our heads when the weight of the world became to heavy for our backs and kneeling seemed an impossible task for us. To the women who I saw grabbing refuge on the cold tiles of our Swakopmund floor because my mother said she’ll let the kids sleep next to her. The ones who fled from Tate Shaku, the many men from Masilo street that made it their mission to draw extra routes on your bodies when you wanted to get your own path. To the women who made lineages of resistance in our yard as you were dragged by Kwambi men who saw it fit to make an example of you. Kuuvitendje, Aakwambi kaanungo’Malenga Lovisa.

To you wholeft your footprints on the walls of our neighbours as you fought to let your voices out and keeo your strength intact, to you who saw it fit to always clap hands in awe at how a man made your body his place of worship and sacrificed his anger and showed no mercy. Mee Hanyangha. Your name still lives on in my ears as though to embody strength. Remembering your tiny slender body and how much force it took yet you always stood. I could never understand why the women who raised me saw it fit to always raise and nurse the wounds of men the next day. It always puzzled me how they fled fast into the night, with anger and fear in their feet as they steady their children on their backs, clutching your twins and last born in a kangaroo pouch. Sometimes I wish you had the same hesitation to go back as the same one you used to not tell us what happened. What he did. I’m also glad my father never asked because my eyes would’ve never let me look at Shaku differently. And now, had he still been around, I would’ve looked at him differently because he emotionally killed you; the victim, and then he had the audacity to walks in your funeral.

To the women who used cornrows as an escape route on my scalp, Ndeindila Omwene. Your warm body was carried away in the most coldest manner, I hope you have found refuge among the ancestors who left before you. I hope the realms youfound yourself had enough healing to find your voice that Angalo took from you that evening with his hands on your mouth.

The women who saw me get raised by a man, my father, and steeped in to extend their motherly love. Mee Ndiikeva. For always calling me Class captain since the first day I got elected in 4th grade. To you, my achievements went beyond my late blooming. You were the first to reaffirm my accomplishments and I wished in my now adulthood, ngeno atunumo mokatombo and I can finally buy you oshikutu sheenulo that you always asked me. You had a way of leading households full of men who saw it fit to disrespect you, yet you also raised an army of men who knew iholi omatudi.

To the women who in hindsight tekulad me with ehena oku tulye, wumwe tati ondalelwa ondebula, but in the same breath, the spirit of sharing always stayed with us. To you, who allowed me to always wake you up with the birds and surute vet koekies. Mkwahepo. Only you called me wongolo tayipapata. Mumbwadi wepolo tuu shili. I wish the world could grant me one more minute tuxungile kaadona kange. One more minute to laugh at you saying, Ninga eike. Omwne opweeli.

Here’s to the women of Masilo street, surrounding erf 1576. Y’all have taught me earlier on that my name is my refuge and I should always use it as a gateway to never forget my lineage, you have allowed me a pedestal to speak life into the many ghosts above my shoulders so they lower their burdens., pack them up and leave. You have let me breathe air in and return it back to the world as to pay homage to you, the ones who taught me about myself as a woman, womanhood. A slight thank you as I bid you farewell.

About the Competition

The Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 by Hashtag Kalakar is a celebration of literary creativity and expression. It provides a platform for writers and poets worldwide to showcase their talents and share their stories. This prestigious competition invites participants to explore diverse themes, fostering a global community of creatives who engage, inspire, and connect through the written word.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Damn_Etu for sharing "You Only Cry for the Dead" with us. This powerful piece enriches the Global Poetry and Creative Writing Competition 2026 with its exploration of strength, heritage, and the indomitable spirit of women. We are honored to feature your work and look forward to seeing more of your unique voice and perspective in the future.

About Hashtag Kalakar

Hashtag Kalakar is a creative platform dedicated to providing artists, writers, singers and other creative talents with opportunities to showcase their work and reach wider audiences through competitions, features and creative initiatives.