One week in West Bank and East Jerusalem
by itself is senseless it’s not enough time to visit
not enough time to be not enough time to feel
and the day after returning
is not enough time to
make sense of the
senseless the
baby 8 months old who died in Bethlehem Governate of teargas
in its crib but the attackers are not responsible because the baby
was not the target and – what???- and I am listening
the woman who died of teargas at the checkpoint
erected right next to a hospital – what the hell is that anyway? –
is that – hell -?
the man the revered doctor who died of teargas because his ambulance
was held up at a checkpoint for a half hour- seriously?
the young man who was on his way to work and had to walk past some soldiers
don’t go his friend said
it will be ok the man said I have to go to work
and ended up
– dead? what? –
he loved life wasn’t a fighter just wanted to go to work
the waiter who was his friend crazy with why why why why
and I am listening
the mother who says I don’t let my son go out the settlers shoot at him
Why
and I am listening
and then a party in a city that has had sooooo many deaths
not to disrespect but to honor to celebrate the benevolent nonprofit
to celebrate its existence because existence is resistance
and because we have to celebrate because we want to live
lamentation and celebration merge in the solemn joy
of just doing our little bit to bring life
to those who dwell in the valley
of the shadow of death
a woman grieves her son in administrative detention
and does not eat and I am listening
a pastor puts the names of the dead in a jar and prays the names
and I am listening
and now I am here getting ready to
go to my everydaywork and wondering
how if in any way i can help
wondering how i as a witness can help
wondering
how the book of Joshua
jives with the injustice as seen
from the underside
– calling on the work of St. Bartholome de las Casas
on All Saints Sunday
for help and
– God! O gracious God,
Good Teacher,
I am listening