Unstiched
written by: Edna Aphek
translated by: Dana Peleg
I must unstitch myself from you. Forgive me, for I must.
I am unstitched.
I am unstitching myself.
I am unstitched.
I am unstitched by someone’s weeping.
Possibly mine, I cannot tell.
Unstitched by the horrifying horror
Possibly mine, possibly.
Forgive me.
Forgive the unstitched woman.
She longs to silence a nonexistent silence.
Forgive her, for she must.
See her unstitch you from her.
See her unstitch, un-stitch by un-stitch.
Witness the un-stitches. Witness them.
They used to bind us together.
Phantom limbs of long-gone silence.
I hereby unstitch you, and you are unstitched from me, and thus we are unstitched.
Long live the unstitchers.
Edna Aphek, born in Israel. Currently living in California. Aphek is a retired Professor specializing in Hebrew Language and Literature and Israeli Culture. A poet and an artist, Edna Aphek has published seven books of poems for adults and children and four books of prose for adults. Many of her poems appear in magazines and journals. Some of her poems have been translated into English and appear in several anthologies. Edna is the co-editor of four online magazines: Tzamadim (multicultural and multilingual poetry), Resisim (prose) and Narutsa – in the footsteps of the Bible (poetry and prose).
Latest posts by Edna Aphek (see all)
- Unstiched - July 13, 2026
- I Was There - April 6, 2026
- A Horse Stood on a Drop of Rain - December 29, 2025
