Most Precious Gifts

Nahida the exiled Palestinian

Leaving Palestine when I was seven put my life on hold

Leaving Palestine today tore my soul away 
Shredded, it lingered behind

Scattered between the hills 
of El Haram El Shareef and Olive Mount

Casting her shadow
A rainbow of tenderness and love
over the graves of her ancestors

Drenched with sorrow

Imbued with sadness

Empty, as if bereaved;

I walked away

"Cheer up", I whispered in my ear

"Think of what you just had
where have you been?
what have you seen?"

Sparkles of light peeked through my grief

Sprouting lilies

Blossoming hearts and stars

Then I heard my heart singing 

I had been to PALESTINE

I had been to PALESTINE
 

I had seen it IN SPRING

I had seen it IN SPRING

First time since exile

Forty five years of cruel exile

I had been to PALESTINE

 

A beatific gift... humbling down

Thank you God, Most Gracious, Most Sublime

I had been to PALESTINE

I had the honour to stand before a child

whose gaze caresses Jerusalem hills

as she wanders in her thoughts

At night, she opens the door

Her colourful dreams run out
flying over the village next door

 Lifta

Stroking her hills, calming her fears
Giving Lifta solace in her solitude

Praying with her for the return of her loved ones

Humbled, besotted, full of adoration

I fall on my knees

 Thank you God, Most Gracious, Most Sublime

I had been to PALESTINE

I had the pleasure

of looking into the eyes of my grandmother

To kneel before her, kiss her hand

To see her smiling

To hear her voice

To hold her close

To dry my tears with her veil

To soothe my heart with her prayers

Thank you God, Most Gracious, Most Sublime

I had been to PALESTINE

With the eyes of my soul

I had seen my many loved ones

my parched heart swells with gratitude

Flowers with joy

Smiles grow broad, sincere and serene

Thank you God, Most Gracious, Most Sublime

 

 

 

 

 

                               

YES, 

I had been to PALESTINE

Thank you God, Most Gracious, Most Sublime