How she was young and still with hope,
her skin unbroke by wicked days...
eyes that spoke no need of words,
yet sang "Zabur" a thousand ways...
her hands that worked the barren soil,
would glide like silk upon his face...
though ragged clothes betrayed her toil,
they could not dull her state of grace...
and now with streets and markets gone,
the concrete dust of time unstitched,
the roar of war can't drown her song,
for those whose lives she so enriched.
Thank you Hélène for you kind words and generous comments.
Thank's also to those who have posted recent likes.
David RL Moore
Time seems to stop when you read beautiful, satisfying verse like this. Well done, David.
This is a poem that speaks volumes. Simple images that pack a punch. Thank you so much for sharing your up close and personal experience with Palestinians and Hamas. We are all human beings: cruel, loving, damaged, healing. Your compassion for all, in Palestine, in Israel, etc. rings through the image of the woman you remember in this important poem. Well done & thank you David.
Thank you Graham.
David
the last four lines say it all. you do well to sleep at night David, (I know you often do not sleep well) having seen such horrors.
Your commentary is welcome and very well written too. G 👍
Thanks to all those who have sent likes for this one.
Thank you Landi.
During the time I spent in Gaza and the West Bank in 2018 I met many Palistinians. I came to understand the often complex dynamic between the ordinary people of Gaza and Hamas, there was a great deal of hatred and dislike of their oppressive regime. There were of course many who sympathised or shared their veiws, but always more who did not.
Whenever I was in Gaza I was accompanied by at least two members of Hamas. They often dined with us on our travels around Gaza, they were always polite and willing to talk. Of course we never engaged in discussing personal attitudes/opinions towards their objectional views. As much as they were monitoring the group I was with we were monitoring them. It was an extremely interesting time and my interaction with both Gazans and Hamas gave me an understanding I otherwise would not have had.
I met so many people who must no longer be with us, whose families are torn apart. I remember their faces and hospitality and moreover thier wishes to be able to live a free life where aspirations could be achieved.
This poem was written while reflecting upon some of those people I met and how their lives might be now.
I could write thousands of words, couplets, sonnets, rhyming sentences devoid of lyrical or poetic value/imagery that might convey very little of my soul and the Gazan/Palistinian spirit. A brief visitation seems more appropriate and is in any case all I can muster.
Uilleam, as always, thanks for your checking in and comment.
David RL Moore
PS. I fully recognise the horrific crimes perpetuated by Hamas on 7 Oct. I recognise the right of Israel to exist, although not as a fascist zionist state that imposes an apartheid regime.
I realise these comments are encroaching on some sensitive issues, it is not my intention to offend or breach WoL guidelines, merely to clarify my own position.
A lovely poem David; Landi sums it up well-"poignant".
poignant, timely, and compassionate--a powerful combination of qualities 🌷
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David RL Moore
Wed 13th Aug 2025 08:00
Hi Stephen,
Thanks for your thoughtful message.
I know how you focus on Ukraine and fully support it. With so much injustice going on it's difficult to spread your creativity without compromise.
All the best,
David RL Moore