A song for Lifta
Nahida Izzat, Exiled Palestinian
I think of Lifta...I smile...like a flower
Lifta...The healing touch of my grandmother
The aroma of her bread, baked with tenderness and love
Lifta...The hand of my mother against my face
Her gentle fingers running through my curls
Lifta…The smile of "Amal" my childhood friend
Gazing at Jerusalem in the horizon
Lifta...Rambling roses, lavender and jasmine
Poppies, daisies, chamomile carpets
And a blanket of stars
I think of Lifta...I smile...like a flower
Lifta...distressed rocks, anxious roofs and wounded windows
Lifta...fatigued Hills sleeping on each other’s shoulders
Hunched homes, years of anguish and solitude
Insisting not to bow down
Resilient trees embracing the landscape
Refusing to surrender
A pounding tearful stream determined not to drown
I think of Lifta...I smile...like a flower
Lifta...fragrant dreams of little girls
bouncing in the meadows
Lifta...sparkly eyes teaming with joy...
following a baby gazelle down the valley
Lifta… Rainbow giggles of many many children,
singing, dancing, playing "bride and groom"
I think of Lifta...I smile...like a flower
Lifta...Lifta...Lifta
Lifta...the throbbing wound of my heart
The scent of my buried memories seeping through my tortured being
Lifta...the childhood paradise I yearn to re-grasp
Lifta...the last straw humankind could hold onto
To save its humanity
I think of Lifta...I smile...like a flower
I think of Lifta...I weep...like a motherless child
I think of Lifta...I sing like a buoyant hummingbird
I think of Lifta...I tremble like an autumn leaf
I think of Lifta...I haemorrhage like slaughtered lamb
I think of Lifta...I smile...like a flower
I think of Lifta...I gasp for a glimpse of her splendour
I think of Lifta...I melt with love, so tender
I think of Lifta...I rage… rage with blazing anger
Sons of the devil
(Yes, I called you that)
Heed if you have a residue of a heart
“NEVER AGAIN” you said
“NEVER AGAIN” you LIED
Heed if you have a scum of a soul
You destroy Lifta...You unleash your own demise
WRATH as NEVER BEFORE
Torment
Boundless...measureless...bottomless...eternal
It’s your choice
*****
And so it goes
Delightful
Life... goes on
___________________________________________________________________________________
Nahida Izzat: "I am -Jerusalem born- Palestinian refugee living in exile for over 40 years. I was forced to leave my homeland, Palestine at the age of seven during the six-day war. I am a mathematician by profession but art is one of my favourite pastimes, I love hand-made things, so I make dolls, cards, and most of my own clothes. I also write poetry, and participate in dialogues with known and unknown friends as I believe that communication is the first step of understanding, I believe in building bridges not walls. My shy nature hinders me from public speaking, so I try to compensate for my shortcomings by writing! I started writing about three years ago when my friends insisted I should write about my memories, experiences, and my feelings as a Palestinian. So I self published two books (I Believe in Miracles and Palestine, The True Story) [Biographical information: Growing Gardens for Palestine]
___________________________________________________________________________________
URL: http://www.a-w-i-p.com/index.php/2011/07/08/a-song-for-lifta
