Lovers don’t rape

By Nahida The Exiled Palestinian

Jerusalem

Sweet Jerusalem

What did they do to you!

Claiming your love

But cause you none

But sorrow and pain

Sweet Jerusalem

I heard you crying that night

Your frail beautiful frame

Trembling… aching… diminishing…

Your sad eyes avoiding mine

Sweet Jerusalem

I want to crawl towards you…

To kiss the aromatic scent

Of your ancient alleyways

Fall on my knees… repenting…

At Damascus gate

Howling

I failed you… I let you down

Sweet Jerusalem

I want to embrace

That blue stripy dress of yours

Burry my face… burry my shame

Weeping

Asking your forgiveness

I’ve witnessed the crime

Sweet Jerusalem

I want to kneel down

Put my arms around you

Caress your weary brow

And murmur

Pardon me my dearest

I am sorry sweetheart

Sweet Jerusalem

I want to untangle your jet-black hair

Comb your gorgeous curls

Adorn your plaits with rainbow ribbons

And whisper… habibti

You look stunning today

Habibti… now show me

Your most charming… much missed smile

Nahida Izzat is a Jerusalem-born Palestinian refugee who has lived in exile for over forty two years, after being forced to leave her homeland at the tender age of seven in 1967, during the six-day war. She has a degree in mathematics, but art is one of her favorite pastimes. She loves hand-made things and so makes dolls, cards, and most of her own clothes. She also writes poetry, participates in written dialogues and believes in building bridges, not walls.

She started writing when her friends insisted she should write about her memories, experiences and feelings as a Palestinian.When she did it all came out sounding—she was told—like poetry! So she self-published two books: I Believe in Miracles and Palestine, The True Story.

Her dream is to return back home to a free and liberated Palestine.

If you like poetry and are intrigued by the notion of helping the Palestinian people and learning more, you can purchase Nahida's books, I Believe in Miracles and Palestine, The True Story by visiting:
I Believe in Miracles: a Collection of Palestinian Poems
ISBN 13: 9780954839109 | ISBN 10: 0954839102
£12.99 paperback Nahida Izzat (2004)
You can write to Nahida : nahidaexiledpalestinian@gmail.com