Jenin

(This poem was written in 2010.)

The reader may not want to read this poem

For the descriptions herein may make you cry

It may even move you away from your apathy

So if you are prepared to activate your soul, continue to read

But if you are going to read this poem and walk away

Walk away without any feeling--then stop, stop right here

Last night I received an email

Horrific pictures of an atrocity

Inflicted by a people, mighty as can be

Against a defenseless people, weak as can be seen

There is this one picture out of many that horrifies me

It is of a dismembered body part that is unrecognizable

Is it a leg or an arm?

Is it a part of a stomach, buttock and leg?

Is it parts of the legs and half a buttock?

You cannot really tell

The middle part of this body part is missing the skin

Internal organs or intestines or bones or all three are exposed

The color red is significantly present

The curvy maligned internal parts render the severity of the atrocity

What barrage of shells exploded upon this body?

Was it a guided missile?

Why would a missile hit this person?

What did he or she do to deserve this dismemberment?

Is it a part of a child?

A mother

A grandmother

A sister

On the other hand, is she a mother, grandmother, sister all in one?

Is it your brother?

Your father

Your grandfather

On the other hand, is he a father, grandfather, brother all in one?

Do you care?