Stay strong

Such helplessness! I felt it while I was away from home in 2008 and while being caged inside my home for months in 2010. Even in the holy month, the bludgeon continued. 

Whatever is happening today in Gaza (and whatever happened there during 2012) gives me the same impuissance after watching the insensitive arrogant oppressor pushing an entire civilian population to the brink of annihilation. Such insensitivity when non-combatants are massacred with impunity is nauseating (I won't talk about the violation of so-called Humanitarian law/s). 

The hypocritical silence and inactiveness of the ones who could act against this onslaught is deplorable but it is encouraging to see countless individual voices of concern around. At least hearts are drifting in one direction. 

More strength to the brave souls of Palestine!

Words flow from Gaza: Look at me

Gaza rests in my thoughts and has been beating along with my heart, just like my own Kashmir. The world must not turn away from the truth. The story has to be told. Someone has to tell the tale. Others have to listen and spread the word. It is high time we all know the sufferings due to injustice as much as we know ourselves. 

I leave you with a poem "Look at me" by Nahida - an exiled Palestinian. Every word turns you speechless and stirs up the soul. Each line has a message for us to rise and speak out.

...

Look at me

 I would love to write poetry about love,

Paint rainbows and butterflies,

Smell the scent of pink rose buds,

And dance;

Dance with the melody of jubilant bluebirds

I would love to close my eyes and see children smiling

No guns pointing at their heads

Tell them stories of lily-like fairies in far-away lands

Not of bullets shrieking.... of missiles exploding

But

How can I?

How can I?

 There is a dagger in my heart

I am hurting

Hurting

I bleed,

I cringe,

I cry

HUMANITY, WHERE ARE YOU?  

I am being slaughtered

Under your watchful eyes  

I am cold… cold…. cold

I cringe,

I cry

Humanity, where are you?

Why do you turn your face away?

Why do you keep looking the other way?

I am here

Languishing

In Gaza's alleyways

Humanity, where are you?

Look at me

See me

I am here

Sighing

In Gaza's alleyways

I cringe,

I cry

Humanity,

Enough turning the other way !

Turning a deaf ear

Turning a blind eye

While I,

and oh ! My poor children

Die

Note: The above contents were published on Set Me Free with proper permission.

About the Poetess: Nahida is a Jerusalem-born Palestinian refugee living in exile for over 42 years. She was forced to leave her homeland, Palestine at the age of seven during the six-day war. She is a mathematician by profession. She has published two books- I Believe in Miracles, and Palestine, The True Story. You can reach Nahida at nahidaexiledpalestinian@gmail.com