This month was so difficult. Finals and genocide? Finals and genocide and being surrounded with zionists and racists? sometimes I admire us (oppressed people) for our ability to stay calm in the face of so much bullshit.
I attended a conference by Ghassan Abu Sitta. The talk was amazing. One thing that stood out for me when he said: don’t think about what needs to be done, but rather what can I do. I agree with him- contemplating the should takes me on a steepy road to desperation- I mean what should be done? Let’s say they announce a ceasfire today- then what? where do you go from here? what do you do?
To stop myself from falling into this pit- I ask: what can I do? what am I capable of doing? and you should do the same: what can you do? ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING HELPS.
poems:
- A haunting poem by Heba Al Agha, translated by Julia Choucair Vizoso https://arablit.org/2024/04/29/when-the-war-parts-a-poem-from-gaza-by-heba-al-agha/
No history book said how
to prepare for the long war
no class taught to pitch a tent
on the side of the road
no math teacher said that the corner
fits ten people - C.Gazaleh is a Palestinian artist based in the US. His artwork is vivid and vibrant.
- a small publishing house called Otra Sinceridad published a palestinian poetry pamphlet in Spanish. I read a poem by Ghayath Almadhoun, here are some of his translted poems: https://www.interimpoetics.org/35-1/ghayath-almadhoun-catherine-cobham
- What Are Allah’s Castles? Faisal Mohyuden shares his insight https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poetrymagazine/poems/155797/allah-castles
- Mosab abo Toha’s brilliance lies in employing simple depictions to capture a complex, heavy emotion. I invite you to read his poems and order his book (Things you might find hidden in my ear)
AICHA BINT YUSIF 