thunder in their world

Poem: Only Thunder [Thoughts About Gaza]

Sr. Marryam

“I was telling them this is thunder, don’t worry, don’t be afraid.”
—Ayman Atalla, 38, talking of his three children in the December 2008 Israeli massacre of Gazans

it’s only thunder
don’t you worry
don’t be afraid
lay your head down
close your eyes
because its only thunder

but father, father
the bombs are dropping
and i am afraid
our house is shaking
our windows breaking
and i am afraid

no child no
it’s only thunder
so don’t you worry
don’t be afraid
just lay your head down
and close your eyes now
for its only thunder

but father, father
the sky is smoking
and i am afraid
the streets are cracking
and boys next door are bleeding
and i am afraid

oh dear daughter
it’s only thunder
please don’t worry
don’t be afraid
go lay your head down
and let your eyes close
it’s only thunder cracking

but father, father
why wont you answer?
cant you hear me?
tell me, ‘don’t be afraid’
tell me, ‘don’t be afraid’
because i’m so afraid
i am so afraid

The World I Live In : Reflections on Gaza

Sr. Irum Sarfaraz

Far beyond the rusted iron bars On the window of my home
I see a world that is utopia to me
It watches its children grow up in peace
And sees them laugh
And sees them live
That world beyond is a bubble to me
That has perfect harmony
And color
And life
That world to me is a fairy tale
That exists for me
As fairy tales do
In books
And stories
And fables

The world I live in is no fable
Or utopia
Or fairy tale
The world I live in is a world
That functions
On one day to the next,
One breath to another and
One heartbeat to the second basis.
I’ve heard that the utopian world
Beyond my borders
Is a coveted one

But I have no time to remonstrate
Or passion to envy
Or desire to desire
Any longer
I buried my children in Gaza today


Poem: Reflections Over Tea

This mint came from Palestine she said
While she poured my tea, dark red and glowing
I looked up, blankly starring
This mint came from Palestine she said

I sip it
Slowly
Let it seep in

I try to let it all
Sink in
Some drinks
Aren't as sweet though

That's the problem

Like watching behind a screen
My homeland I never knew
Blow
Up
Before my eyes
Always behind
A screen

Then comes the wind
Blowing
Away the ashes
And drying my
Tearless face

The rain falls gently
Washing away some
Of the blood
Some
Of the debris from a bombed out building

In a green patch near a graveyard
The mint leaves quietly
Drink in
Their long awaited
Nourishment
In that homeland I never knew