In light of the recent happenings in Gaza, I want to share this poem written by late activist Rachel Corrie, who spent some time protesting in the Gaza Strip. Besides being one of my personal poetic influences, she was an incredibly insightful person. Februrary 4th In Dr. Samirs Garden. Fig tree with small buds. dill, lettuce, garlic. White plastic chairs, deflated soccer ball, blanket drying on a line. Patchy lawn, long shadows. Two bulldozers, tanks. I went to the kitchen and stayed two hours. The tank stayed too, so no work, no school. A soldier came with a sledgehammer. The tank started firing- the family were watching Tom & Jerry in the kitchen. I played with the children to distract them. Dr. Samir says, Before intifada- no tanks, no bulldozers, no gunshots, no noise. After intifada, daily. Gunshots daily. I have no gun in my house, nothing. 30 years collecting money for house. We also afriad no other place to go, three hours they can destroy house. I look at my garden. I ask myself, This year will you eat from these trees like other years?- I trust in my god- so no problem.
Posted on: Thu, 17 Jul 2014 23:35:40 +0000