Home » Poems » Anil Deo » My Proud Palestinian Wife: Talk To Us About Suffering - Empathy

My Proud Palestinian Wife: Talk To Us About Suffering - Empathy

I
She was not unduly unkind, maybe a tad smart
Not ever imagining I am close to Israel and Palestine
My wife comes from Jeneen, a hot spot
But I quickly think of Jacob - NABLUS - old Neapolis
The Woman at the well,Samaritan, still there
In the occupied West-Bank, Mount Gerizim
There is a Samaritan High Priest, they use just Torah
The first five books of the Bible, author (?) Moses
Persecuted as neither fish nor fowl, by both sides:
All Human rights talk is just that, remember the Yazidis?
Remember Bosnia? YOU LET IT HAPPEN after NEVER FORGET
So don't shed those croc tears for Palestine

II
Twice, coming back with two young daughters
The Israeli authorities had to do what they know
To delay crossing over Allenby Bridge (Overnight)
There were no facilities, or even food to buy
Fortunately, there was one toilet each
(Mixed genders need not apply); the TAXI waited
The taxicab driver would be up all night, for us,
The next morning I shouted to the Israeli soldiers
Across the fence caging us back: I'm South African;
I had enough, I don't need to be held here."
They let us go, my family and I, looking sadly back
Others had no other passport to freedom from cages
(Corona has leveled things off: The Gazans said,
"Welcome to House Arrest, the Israeli Blockade!"
By Virus, of course. No, Lady, I survived apartheid
Jesus helped me forgive 300 years of crimes
(Did the West forgive any leader who is not like them?
Saddam Hussein, Mu'ammar Gaddafi, Fidel Castro?)

III
Like with slavery, I cannot call you the criminal
For what your ancestors did in the odious trade
Learn from Jesus, there is only one way
(Gandhi, Mandela, and King saw it, why don't you?)
Forgive and see that beyond the skin is LIFE
Life without border or skin, or pigment
I have enjoyed favor on this site; without YOUR HELP
Because I speak of the Savior who will do the same
Please don't pretend to care, when you pretend to care

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Besma Riabi Dziri

Date: 5/31/2020 4:07:00 AM

Always been attached to Human, their very essence.. their inner worlds.. no veil.. no pretence.. Always been interested in "Life without border or skin or pigment".. Always learning to seek the depths savouring the beauty of truth even though harmful and painful.. Always learning to read, listen, feel, understand, tolerate and accept.. no room for being judgemental.. So interesting reading a part of a whole! Thank you so much, Anil, for sharing your deep thoughts. Best regards and blessings.

Paul Callus

Date: 5/27/2020 1:31:00 PM

Your words sound so very sincere, Anil, undoubtedly because you have experienced in person what you write about. Suffering and empathy... followed by forgiveness ... the cherry on the cake. ~ Peace to you and others who try to make sense of a muddled world. // paul

Anil Deo
Date: 5/27/2020 10:03:00 PM