Poems
-
Don’t mention the children.
Don’t name the dead children.
The people must not know the names
of the dead children.
The names of the children must be hidden.
The children must be nameless.
The children must leave this world
having no names.
No one must know the names of
the dead children.
No one must say the names of
the dead children.
No one must even think that the children
have names.
People must understand that it would be dangerous
to know the names of the children.
The people must be protected from
knowing the names of the children.
The names of the children could spread
like wildfire.
The people would not be safe if they knew
the names of the children.
Don’t name the dead children.
Don’t remember the dead children.
Don’t think of the dead children.
Don’t say: ‘dead children’.
- Michael Rosen
‘Israel bans radio advert listing names of children killed in Gaza.’ -
They won’t open the gates, for the aid that is there,
for the people of Gaza, how can they not care ?
as the people are bleeding, pleading and crying,
starving, bewildered, under the rubble, dying,
bombs, missiles, bullets, destruction at all cost,
drones, explosions and tanks,
no matter lives lost,
as Gaza sheds a tear.
Some just look and then turn away, or scroll past the suffering,
I’ve had enough for today,
Oh, how long will it be, until all will be free?
How long will it be until all will be free ?
as Gaza sheds a tear.
We modern day prophets speak with one voice.
We rise in our millions, we tell of a choice.
We bring gifts in ourselves and gifts in our words,
slowly, but surely,
our message is heard.
No more humiliation, occupation or fear,
our story universal, we’re making it clear,
because written on banners and flags flying higher,
is the creed of humanity, peace, justice, CEASEFIRE,
as Gaza sheds a tear.
And then …… a woman’s voice is heard,
singing a soulful lament,
from the beating heart of her world,
from her Gaza tent,
for the lives of her loved ones, now taken away,
and from her broken heart,
she begins to pray,
“Please don’t forget us,
keep on protesting, until……”
and we reply, loudly,
“We will, we will”
as Gaza sheds a tear.