#yegwriter

I wrote the poem "The Side of Peace" in 2009. It pains me to re-read it and realize that Israel/Palestine is experiencing the exact same situation now.

I’ve marched in Gaza rallies And sung for Arab crowds Though some of my relations Think I should not be allowed. I’m asked why do I do it? Or if I’m scared at the very least; The only answer that I have, Is I’m on the side of Peace.

I always say I’m Jewish, It’s part of who I am. So is speaking out For human rights as best I can. This conflict is immoral I want it all to cease And that is why I take a stand On the side of Peace.

When innocent civilians Are killed day after day By military massacres I have the right to say Collective punishment is wrong As the death tolls increase. The only way to save lives Is on the side of Peace.

Unlike so many others I can’t support a nation When it’s so horrific towards Part of the population Yes, the leaders are not innocent But the children are, indeed So are all the others who Are on the side of Peace.

morning ritual: open the app, get to the page,  stare at words in a language I never learned

reading the translation where

ancient rabbis argue the minutiae of festivals, feasts, life passages unravelling the halacha that bound the limits of my childhood

yet learning is an act of resistance for those of my gender

wrestling with these texts  the whole way through is a commitment of seven years

longer than many marriages but i’ll get to that book later

then one day

i changed my number they stopped calling