When you are a Palestinian

A poem by Shadi Abdul-Kareem
Translation by Nahida Exiled Palestinian
source: http://uprootedpalestinians.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/when-you-are-palestinian.html

 

 

When you are a Palestinian 

You would need daily practice of hiding tears 

And swallowing huge chunk of wishes 

 Overflowing from your reality





 In front of which you stand flabbergasted 

Wondering who’d find the genie’s lamp 

That would bring back your olive tree, 


the straw tray and the sea fragrance?