Protest

“Protest” is poem I wrote for Aya, a young woman in Gaza who has become very dear to me. Amidst my father’s death I have witnessed death everywhere, and the prospect of death so close to those I have come to care for.

I still do not believe that poetry is obsolete, although yes, it is not enough. I think, in these times and in our context as Western writers, the role of poetry is to point towards the truth, or to raise questions to disturb the status quo. It is with this hope that I put this poem out into the world.

I am grateful to Peste Magazine, and Zeeshan Pathan and Jason Silverstein for giving “Protest” a home.

Here is the epilogue to this poem: Aya contacted me a week and a half later to let me know she was okay. But she, like anyone else in Gaza, is far from safe. In my opinion this poem is nothing if it does not in some way help her move to safety and build a future. If this poem moved you in any way, please contribute to help Aya and her family leave Gaza.