Ghairo Daniels Poet Other

Children of Gaza

[ Poets Note : It has come to my attention that some Poets are misreading this poem. This poem does not, by all means, condone any form of war. It is written from the perspective of children involved in the war, as opposed to children caught in the war, about which there are many poems, including poetic responses to this particular one. ]

 

Black pupils of our  e y e s
melting into every soldier booted 
ears of mountain gazelle A L E R T 
to Palestinian mole rats

             Rats scatter into open  s e w a g e s 
             our mountain hide-outs faraway 
             soldiers BANG on backdoors
             pupils of our eyes dilate B A T T L E

We watch fleeting shadows of  r i f l e s
behind buckthorns, aching for  s o
                                                      Ft
hands of our mamas, oupa’s sure feet
brazen Commander’s hair stood on E N D

        Hair not washed or brushed for  w e e k s
        mama’s tortoiseshell comb sold for bread 
         buckthorn still grow in  fer
                                              tiLe  Jordan valley
        with blue irises they await rifle meltDOWN 

“Shoot” ! said our t r a i n i n g
watch, whispered our Hearts
pre-teen bodies quivering 
slender arms lift cold rifles
together my sister and I took aim
blood splattered gazelle and soldier
masked we fled into bushes of Wind
children no more, CEASEFIRE camouflaged 

            We are  o l d  souls in children’s bodies
            our faces masked for protection 
            blood one with young across planet
            brothers and sisters have we many
            tender minds are geniuses h o l y
            we quiver not in this senseless war
            Hearts know Love answers prayer
            this training is a game of futile TIME

Memories of children scrawled  a c r o s s 
Gaza’s golden kingdoms in ethers cry
hymns cannot be silenced, their sheaths 
knowing dances in occupied spaces
                                           Jerusalem WEEPS

    Our peachy wisdom dance on  s a c r e d  land
       we continue to chant delicate hymns 
          ethers hold our  T r u t h s  and our youth
            the children of Gaza exist in THE ALL
                  Jerusalem is …      W 
                                                      i t h
                                                             IN
                                              

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Paige Hind October 8, 2025 at 5:18 PM You really tugged at the heart and core of this conflict. I do not believe violence is the answer. I'm thinking of Gandhi. Look at he accomplished without any violence.. Dare, be true. But...beautiful and raw and well, it's gotta be one of the best poems about this. <3 Paige Hind October 12, 2025 at 1:05 PM I agree with you in everything you said. Take care XXOO Ghairo Daniels October 8, 2025 at 7:45 PM ThkU 4 read, PH. In no way does poem advocate war. It is written from perspective of children involved in war, irrespective of consciousness, as opposed to children caught in war, from which most other poems are written. This is 1 of my most truthful/best poems, to my mind, since it faces something which most cannot face : that children are USED in war by ALL parties concerned. Have a beautiful day, dear Paige. (PS : Ghandi has always been 1 of my Guides. Though study his life well, he had massive difficulties in his personal relationship)

Danny Derden October 7, 2025 at 11:43 AM An incredibly powerful and visceral poem. It is a striking and complex piece of writing. Ghairo Daniels October 7, 2025 at 12:17 PM THANKYOU for visit, Danny ! I resonated with your “recovery from combat” too. Best.