Look At Me

Unless I allow rage and hate to take hold of me, I have nothing to write about.
Abufares


Look at me
(A poem by Nahida the Exiled Palestinian)

I would love to write poetry about love,
Paint rainbows and butterflies,
Smell the scent of rose buds,
And dance;
Dance with the melody of birds singing

I would love to close my eyes and see children smiling
With no guns pointing at their heads
Tell them stories of little fairies in far away lands
Not of bullets shooting, or missile exploding

But
How can I?

There is a knife 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 alleyways

Humanity, where are you?
Look at me
Look at me
I am here
In Gaza alleyways


I cringe
I cry

Humanity,
Enough turning the other way