‘Rise’ & ‘Postcards from Palestine’ – Poems
Rise After Tawfiq Ziad From Nazareth: this light in my eyes, this flame in my blood, and all the pain of Palestine I speak and gladly give – I, the orphan starving, who heard the […]
Poetry
A Visit Home – A Poem
This poem was written shortly after a conversation with our Palestinian friend Rafiq who, together with his entire village, was expelled by the Israelis in 1948 and forced into exile. He spoke without rancor, just […]
‘Intifada’ & ‘Martyr’: Poems for Palestine
Intifada You. Return to your land And I will go back to mine. You sowed the seed. But it’s nourished by the blood of my brethren. The orange trees bear fruits of red, The olives […]
Two Poems in Protest for Palestine
The protest for Palestine in Manhattan this past month was one of a kind. Erected in wake of ongoing displacements, settlement expansions, and militarized upsurges in East Jerusalem, Palestinian voices have risen to the surface. […]
My Sunbird – A Poem
Hold the hope, my sunbird, Hold that hope. In times of thunder, Choking blazes and smoke, Don’t lose hope. It’s this hope she wants to burn. The vision of home. The passion for the […]
ISRAEL (contd) – A Poem
THE STATE LAND // THE NO-GOS // THE SEAM // THE BUFFER // THE ANNEX // THE WALL // THE FENCE // THE BARRIER // THE WALL // THE FENCE // THE BARRIER // THE […]
Breaking the Silence – A Poem
There’s come a time when it becomes a crime to speak truth of another’s. When false claims damage good names and cause an outcry: the baying for blood and broken bones so others are shown, […]
Mourid Barghouti, A Palestinian Intellectual Icon, In His Own Words
Mourid Barghouti is a renowned Palestinian poet who passed away on Sunday, February 14, at the age of 76, in the Jordanian capital Amman. Born in the Palestinian village of Deir Ghassanah, near Ramallah, in […]
The Ancient Olive Grove – A Poem
From above the valley, Doha gazed down upon her ancient olive grove, cradled in the fertile crescent, not far from Nablus; proud of the beautiful branches: their silent symbolism. Her once soft hands gnarled with […]
Palestine: A Receptacle of Resistance – A Poem
Palestine: a carpet of cadavers, a swamp of blood, a garden of ashen smoke. Olive green of missiles, iron fists of tanks, the blue-black of high caliber guns – Can a place be mangled by […]
Footsteps – A Poem by Mu’in Bseiso
(Translated by May Jayyusi and Naomi Shihab Nye) Brother! If they should sharpen the sword on my neck, I would not kneel, even if their whips lashed my bloodied mouth If dawn is so close […]
Preoccupied in Palestine – Poems
Silent Watch Speech is out of the question. she can tell you everything she needs to with her eyes— At noon, they are pointing out a sniper—and his shadow— watching us eat lunch through a […]
The Human Rights Defender – A Poem
It’s in the Charter, article one, afforded to all or else its undone To Self-Determine is a human right. For it we struggle, for it, we fight. The use of the name is not a […]
A Prayer in the Time of Pandemic
Affirming spirituality as the power over life and death I aspire to achieve this spirituality that is nothing other than the blending of love and mystery cherishing wonder at a precarious precipice, respecting knowledge prayer […]
Three Palestinian Love Poems for Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day in Palestine has a different taste. True, the tradition of gifting boxes of chocolates and bouquets of flowers has been quite popular in Palestine for some time now, but love for Palestinians is […]
Because We Are Thieves – A Poem
Now afterwards, the memories wash over me. My strongest memory is of all the conversations. I was often questioned. My questions led to counterquestions. I was evaluated and my motives, personal values were rejected. I […]
One Very Important Question – A Poem
One Very Important Question of our time, Is what will become of Palestine? The world came together post world war two, to ensure that global annihilation would never ensue. The UN created a court, named […]
Forgetting 2019 – A Poem
asphalt rain darkens green fields eco-extinction flares Amazon skies fake leaders slithering toward real dangers hither and yon seek safe havens gated nations hiding from truth screaming ‘no’ migrants fleeing despair pleading ‘please’ hiding from […]
Sixty Years ago: A Reflection on the Day of My Birth – A Poem
Sixty years ago today I entered this world. with native wonders and mysteries as my life unfurled I have felt God’s hand on me from earliest recall steadying me when I stumble, lifting me when […]
The Chidren’s Voices – A Poem
The children’s voices, can’t you hear some voices distant, some voices near Some are calm, but most are not in their beds or on a cot Children sleeping having dreams but there’s no laughter, only […]
Falastin – A Poem
Falastin seven decades come and gone millions looking for a home. Innocent to cause their fate death of thousands stats to date ally, foe, it comes and goes for their actions nothing shows braver souls […]
Capitals: Game Farouk Plays To Keep Mother’s Mind Active – A Poem
Moscow! Mother says when Farouk asks, Capital of Russia? Japan? Tokyo! She gazes at the sun mirrored in a pane across the courtyard. “You were born a week after Nagasaki,” she says to Farouk who […]
How Many Lives will It Take? – A Poem
By Stephen Brackens Brinkley One simple soul begs to ask the question: How many lives will it take, To embolden humanity to be humane? How many lives will it take? Hearing the cries […]
‘Throw a Stone’: A Poem by Ramzy Baroud (VIDEO)
This Palestine Chronicle video is dedicated to Razan Al-Najjar, Gaza’s March of Return, and to every Palestinian who resisted and continues to resist. ‘Throw a Stone’ is a poem by Ramzy Baroud, with original music […]
In a Time of Endless Wars – A Poem
By Gary Corseri I write for the men of a thousand years hence— and the women—and their healthy children. And…, if you are suffering, if night is day and day is night, I will drink […]
Visualize with Me – A Poem
By Stephen Brackens Brinkley VISUALIZE with me, just for a moment, waking up tomorrow morning to find that the United States has had a spiritual awakening and a conversion to right action and a true […]
A Prayer for Houston…. And, – A Poem
By Gary Corseri Please help the people in Houston, Lord. And, while You’re at it, in Palestine, too! Though worlds apart, they are kindred, as all suffering creatures are kindred. Is the child who is […]
Beyond Liveability – A Poem by Samah Sabawi
By Samah Sabawi life beyond livability is inevitable like the rainfall and the winter storms life inside the walls is ferocious…stubborn unstoppable It grows like dandelions through parched rocks inevitable it transcends obstacles and powers […]
Transcription – A Poem
By Ramona Wadi the potent permanence of frenzied excavation in remnants of spaces between sand and stone I pause at intonations framed against books unrivalled eloquence festering behind screens glass stained in blue an essence […]
Wasting the Milk in the Summer – Poetry Review
Reviewed by Samah Sabwai (Wasting the Milk in the Summer by Sara Saleh) Once in a while, you come across a poetry collection and your world comes to a stand still! You hold your breath […]
