In one language,
remembrance and death
and also a consolation.
In another, symbolism of “exchange and reciprocity…
where the Palestinians’ bodies give life to the land”.
After 364 days,
we have seen nations give with two fists,
in one hand weapons
in the other aid,
not in equal measure
often with the cruelist of twists as the aid becomes another means of murder.
Humanity determined to be inhumane—
after 364 days,
I still ask “why”.
What score is there to settle?
Is this truly the cost one is willing to pay to steal more land?
If this is the result of the dehumanization of people,
what does that say about how we treat nature
and every other being we co-exist with?
After 364 days
of staring into the void of human potential
one is also able to see on occasion glimmers of true humanity
of digging cats out of rubble
of laughter brought to children in tents
of voices raised in streets against genocide
of resistance in the form of living in spite of horror
of refusal to leave a land that one calls home,
even at the hand of those who seek to make that home unlivable.
After 364 days,
the only thing that is enough
is an end to the mass production of martyrs
at the hand of the bombs my taxes pay for;
is recognition of wrongs done
is accountability
is the restoration of the land and homes of a people
is an end to land theft that so many acknowledge is illegal.
Caia Rose 