A predominately Orthodox Jewish apartment complex in Jerusalem near the UNRWA compound. Graffiti on the Separation Wall between Israel and Palestine in Bethlehem. The Dome of the Rock is a Muslim holy site in Jerusalem built on top of the Jewish holy site of the Western Wall. It is depicted in art all across Palestine as a symbol of their homeland and often their inability to visit Jerusalem.
Bidik gahweh? (Do you want coffee?)
It’s my fourth cup today.
One at each home
Two at the office in between
And tea
It’s two cups of tea
Like Auntie Noon made it
With an herb I only know the name of in Arabic
And Arabic
It’s what brought me here
I studied to build bridges
I practiced to break walls
And the wall
It’s all around this city
The sign at the entrance said it’s not safe
But I feel I’m familiar with the patterns here
And the pattern
It’s around the neck of young men killed
Who now live in posters around the town
Their memories fueling the protests I saw on my way home
And home
It’s actually miles away
But their home is close
They can hear its echoes but not enter it
Is that home?
And the temporary
It’s life and suffering
At least that’s what we’re told
We’ll be home in two weeks they said
That was 70 years ago
