Keffiyeh’s draping over the shoulders of poets
Music from an oud pulling heart strings
Energy radiating from lyrics infused with jazz
Falafel and hummus shared

Acts of resistance
Carrying a message of hope
From Kenilworth to Coventry
And just like the Madleen, to the shores of Palestine

Our hearts may feel heavy
Like the anchor of a ship
But this burden is a reminder
That our humanity hasn’t left us yet

Do not allow yourself to become numb, to become apathetic
To scenes unfolding before our eyes
This loss would mean that the oppressors have won
And that their evil deeds have become normal and justified

Peace is the song that gives us strength
That not all is lost and what we do matters
A community that unites us and creates unbreakable bonds
Not born from hatred
But from something more powerful than any nuclear weapon
Love

Though I still wish for many things
If I had to give up the others and choose just one dream
It would be to wake up in Palestine
Where our brothers and sisters have become free

Amongst my chosen family
Who never gave up, nor gave in
I know that in my heart
Humanity will win

I see the streets of Nablus
Lively and prospering
A hot day with a light breeze
Merchants selling pottery

I see boats along the beaches of Gaza
And sand beneath my feet
Savouring the feeling of coastal air
Rejuvenating

I see the first harvest of olives in Hebron
A wave of excitement rooted in tradition
And the carvings of wood in Bethlehem
A celebration of culture

I see the remnants of the apartheid wall in Tulkarem
That our voices helped to shatter
With the force of a thousand sledgehammers
Breaking it apart with each syllable spoken

I see a Palestine rebuilt
A sovereign state with free movement
Some have returned to their homes
Many are still on their way

I look forward to meeting them there


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The Madrid Review