Gaza
We presume affliction by census,
whereas light
requires no faith.
Is the roofless house a home? When you call
who answers? The vulture
spreads its wings
but remains on post. Shifting,
I note minute of angle, windage. No
regrets, only tension. Breathe in. Exhale.
Again.
***
“Gaza” first appeared in July, 2014, and is included in my chapbook, If Your Matter Could Reform.
O at the Edges 
Brought a tear to my eye.. being of Palestinian origin and all… thank you x
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Thank you, Jo.
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Reblogged this on The Sound of One Hand Clapping and commented:
Just appreciating that there are people out there who recognise the human rights violations in Gaza and the West Bank by the Israeli Government. Thank you to the author of this short, sad poem.
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Sometimes it seems like this planet will never know peace. I hope I’m wrong.
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Inshaallah my dear. For if we look under our skin, we’re pretty much the same the world over. But people are only human and tend to be afraid of things they don’t understand, and that’s fueled by others who are greedy. All this ignorance and greed does is breed hatred, and so the world turns, and our memories are short, and history is written by the victors, but even those victories are lost within the collective human memory. So sad. And “it only being human” is no excuse, I believe. Hoe you have a good wknd! Peace
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Peace to you, too.
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This brings me back to the summer of 2014, when I felt so completely helpless, angry, and really felt the need to write. I did a couple of poems on the subject. It was truly a dark time. I shut out all news probably for at least three weeks. I go through cycles like that. Sometimes, I just cannot stomach what we do to each other. .
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Carolyn Forche says in one of her poems “There is nothing one man will not do to another.” Sadly, she’s been proven right time and again.
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😩
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A very powerful and important poem, Robert! Thank you for sharing it!
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Thank you for reading it, Robin. Much appreciated.
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*soft hug to poster, holds and dose not let go* Truly I long to hug you and I’ve been diagnosed as having high functioning autism…but this moved me, you move me…be kind to yourself…
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Consider the hug received and appreciated. Thank you.
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I can’t even begin to comment, except maybe to say, sorrowfully, if only….
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We are a curious species.
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I never have understood, nor will I ever, why we seek differences and then use them as a reason to destroy and kill rather than recognizing that we all yearn for the same things.
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It boggles my mind, too.
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That is definitely true.
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I can’t comment. I would only explode. Good on you, Bob. Mx
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The older I get, the less I understand of the world and its politicians.
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The older I get the more I understand of the world and its politicians – power hungry, self-serving people who wants to instil fear in people by exploiting their greed. That’s why we lock up asylum seekers far far away from Australia.
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And that’s what I don’t understand – how can they be so shortsighted and self-centered. I suppose it’s good for business. Someone’s business.
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I’m thinking that sometimes Light does require faith–faith that it will remain… Great poem.
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Let’s hope.
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Yes.
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Thank you for writing and sharing this poem, Bob. The subject is one of my hot buttons. I have several friends who are Palestinian, and one of them was born and raised in Gaza, which is aptly defined (but not by Israel) as the largest open-air prison in the world.
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Oh, yes, George. What good can come from subugating people, from imprisoning them (no matter how you define it), from murdering them?
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Reblogged this on wwwpalfitness.
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Thank you for reblogging.
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You’re welcome:)
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Absolutely stunning poem!
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Thank you, Meghna. Much appreciated.
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Robert, the word “Gaza” alone evokes such emotion, it can barely be contained or conveyed by a poem, let alone a short one. But in two lines, maybe three, “Is the roofless house a home? When you call who answers? The vulture spreads its wings…” you do capture something important, particularly in the use of the term “windage.”
I wish there was more. But even more would not be enough, if you know what I mean.
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I hope to leave readers wanting more and needing to fill the spaces with their own resonances. To do otherwise would impose too much of my own intent. And I agree – more is often not enough. Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Gary. Always appreciated.
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Thanks for sharing.
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It was my pleasure, Eve. And thank you for reading.
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Is Israel wrong ? Its both way actually ,its more politics rather than humanitarian issue
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The entity with power is responsible for the humanitarian issues.
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To great extent
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Thank you for acknowledging the hardship of Gaza, Robert.
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It’s difficult to understand how this sort of thing goes on and on.
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Yes. Sometimes it seems, when fear and sectarian narratives rule, that harsh neglect becomes intransigent, imagination dies, and the human heart numbs to cruel realities suffered by “others.”
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And the others, of course, can’t possibly be like “us.”
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This epitomises our shortfalls as we let ourselves down time and again. We are a complex but dangerous creature. This short piece highlights some of the harsh and sorrowful events, and truly makes palpable the sense of loss and the tension you ended with.
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As you said, time and again…
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My protest song for Palestine #freepalestine please share https://youtu.be/vK1UZMVg08A
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Thanks for the link.
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