Surrealistic Reality

Snapshots of Palestinian Women’s Lives Under

Occupation

Illusions of security

Acrobatics of another sort

To circumvent walls

Pine nuts and oranges

The Wall stops me in my tracks

Dead end road to school

Gold phoenix rising

Sun burns beyond my vision

Trapped in a canvas

Camaraderie

White pages of promising hope

Countless votes for change

My guide and guard

Your touch so reassuring

Your embrace a safe haven

My life is set From the time I’m in the wombI hear voices of sadness

Sweet smelling oranges

My orchard of happy childhood

Stay this way forever

Big sister so small

Promise of bright tomorrows

Do not lose your smile

Counting my blessings

Childhood friends we shall remain

Reality check

Sky is the limit

My playground of dust and sand

Swim free little fish

Tanks block my playground

My childhood is wasting away

I am too terrified to play

Another school day

Gateway will close behind me

Will I go back home?

Tree of knowledge

Your fruit so delicious and sweet

No regrets or sorrow

Capturing my joy

Bottle my life and save it

For dark days to come

Path to new knowledge

Crowns of glorious achievements

Whence forward I go

A crossword puzzle

Alone codes cannot be cracked

Alert pencils sharpened

In spite of myself

Exultant thoughts surround me

Cloudy sky forming storms

Houses of present

Tears cannot be recalled

Shards of memories

Arduous labor

Green harvest of bitter fruit

I am mother earth

From dawn until dusk

Families’ sustenance

Bounty of the earth

Grandmother do tell

Puzzling tales of yesterday

Fated to repeat?

Dancing for Joy

Sky beneath my feet

Music in my heart

White shrouds of destiny

Caring for my wounded soul

Carry me to the light

Hear my inner fears

Simplest questions unanswered

Sunshine eludes me

Turnstiles of oppression

Chains that cannot be cut loose

I want to go home

Calm seas

Crisp breeze of summer air

Horizon of dignity