Poetbay family, we have lost one of our own; Leon Kiptum, he went by Kip on here. He succumbed to Pancreatic Cancer on Sunday 3rd August 2025. He took his last breath as I was reading him poetry he published on poetbay. He introduced me to Poetbay.


When The Room Fell Silent...( RIP Kip❤❤❤)

When the room went silent,
I held the space between heartbeats,
the soft hum of breath and memory
woven into the stillness.
The shadows leaned in closer,
as if they too wanted to listen.

I read to him the words we once birthed together,
Sometimes I feel like a leaf, a bee, a wick, a tree,
poems born on Poetbay with Zoya Zaidi, Kip and I
We had spun those verses like silk across the years,
and now, in this sacred hour,
their familiar rhythm was the last music we shared.

His eyes seemed to follow the cadence,
a flicker of knowing,
perhaps a nod that slipped between worlds.
I told him he mattered,
that his children would be held in the circle of our care,
that he could open the door before him
and walk into the wide, waiting field.

When the room went silent,
it was not an ending
but a turning of the page.
The air was full of unwritten lines,
and somewhere, his voice still rises in them.

Rest in Peace Kip.
I will miss you dearly! ❤



Poetry by in'kwa
Read 583 times
Written on 2025-08-14 at 10:06

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Griffonner The PoetBay support member heart!
Thank you, in'kwa, for passing on the news about Zoya. That is such sad news to hear. Zoya will be sadly missed from this world both for the loss of her poetry and her great skill as a Rheumatologist. Through the medium of our thoughts and our love may the loss her loved ones feel be soon ameliorated. Blessings and love, Allen
2025-08-17


shells
So sad to read this, a loss for Poetbay. Zoya was always generous with her encouragement and friendship.
2025-08-15


MIRZA AHMER BEG The PoetBay support member heart!
zoya zaidi was such a beautiful soul , she was the first soul whom i met on poetbay ,she gave me a great encouragement ,i always wondered that why her account on poetbay has fallen silent since feb not knowing this beautiful soul too has left.
2025-08-15


Liam
Such sadness captures my thoughts at the passing of Kip. He was an inspiration to me many times through his words. As too was Zoya Zaidi who coaxed, cajoled and encouraged me to continue in my attempts to write poetry. I was connected to Zoya through LinkedIn and only learned through that site of her Passing in February. Such a loss to Medicine, poetry, art and the many many friends here on the Bay.
May their souls find sanctuary in Heavens peaceful gardens.
2025-08-15


MIRZA AHMER BEG The PoetBay support member heart!
what happened to zoya zaidi?
2025-08-14


in'kwa
Hi Allen,

Thank you for your kind words.

I have tried to reach out to Zoya Zaidi and tragically just learned of her passing as well, today, after publishing this piece. Gutted!

I shall find peace reading the words that immortalised them. Taking it a day at a time.

Thank you!
2025-08-14


Griffonner The PoetBay support member heart!
I am so sorry to learn of Kip walking into that wide waiting field. It is a special thing to be with someone when they make that transition. Your presence must have been a great comfort for him.
I know the World is poorer every moment of every day with the passing of souls, but when a fellow poet passes, one you know, one you shared words and memories with, then you are that much more attuned to the loss.
Blessings and love to you and yours, and to Kip's loved ones too, Allen.
PS. Are you in contact with Zoya?
2025-08-14