The homeland having fallen down a well
and after sixty years, it’s up to us
to raise the rope a little, then let it fall again,
for only thus will hope learn patience.
***
There are things I don’t understand,
not being an Israeli
and not being entirely Palestinian.
***
My country is the rape victim
I will marry.
***
My grandfather told me: Palestine is an irregular verb in the past.
My father said: No, it’s in the present tense.
I say, and a plane has just landed nearby: My grandfather’s right
and my father too.
and after sixty years, it’s up to us
to raise the rope a little, then let it fall again,
for only thus will hope learn patience.
***
There are things I don’t understand,
not being an Israeli
and not being entirely Palestinian.
***
My country is the rape victim
I will marry.
***
My grandfather told me: Palestine is an irregular verb in the past.
My father said: No, it’s in the present tense.
I say, and a plane has just landed nearby: My grandfather’s right
and my father too.