Poems for Gaza

In the Ruins

 

In the ruins of Gaza we sat down and wept.

Our cries hung from the broken walls,

For they wanted a song in our captivity,

A song of peace and joy.

 

They have ploughed the land with weapons

 And sown it with salt tears.

What crop do they think to harvest

In after years?

 

Who can sing in a strange country of rubble?

If we forget our history, let our right hands be useless.

If we do not remember our history, let us become dumb.

 

They will grind the flowers of hatred

From millions of ripe ears

And eat the bread of bitterness

In after years.

 

Remember us, people of the world, when they said:

“Rase it, rase it, even to the foundation”.

But, my daughters, do not reward them as they have served us,

Do not you too dash babies’ heads against the stones.

(3/2/24)

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Even a Child

 

Here, where the truth is a criminal offence,

The truth even a child can recognise,

It’s no surprise

So many children are imprisoned without defence.

 

Here, where the gun gives a citizen control,

The gun even a child can recognise,

It’s no surprise

A hurled stone means prison without trial or parole.

 

Here, where the law is completely partizan,

The law even a child can recognise,

It’s no surprise

The disenfranchised fight with whatever means they can.

 

Here, where the land is stolen every day,

The land even a child can recognise,

It’s no surprise

We trust no treaties, promises, anything they say.

 

It’s no surprise

When even a child can recognise the lies.

(4/12/23)

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In Gaza

 

My child asked for food. They said “Eat rubble”.

My child asked for water. They said “Drink dust”.

My child asked for a future. They gave her ten minutes.

 

She ran to her school, but the school was bombed.

She ran  back home, but her home was bombed.

She begged for peace, and they gave her silence.

(29/11/23)

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The Treatment of Animals

 

In our country it is right to starve animals.

In our country it is right to deprive animals of water.

In our country it is right to slaughter animals indiscriminately.

In our country we praise people who do these things,

And condemn those who protest against them.

 

In our country calling two million people “animals”

Is all the moral justification needed.

It is within the law.

(10/10/23)

On Monday 9 October 2023, Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said "No electricity, no food, no water, no gas - it's all closed," adding that "we are fighting animals and are acting accordingly."

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