My first letter
During the 1967 war, I was only seven when we were forced to leave Palestine in search of safety, thinking that it’s only a matter of weeks before we could go back home. We were denied that right ever since.
As a refugee in Jordan I wrote this letter to my auntie who stayed behind in Palestine. However, she never received it. When I saw her 37 years later, I read the letter to her face to face.
Dearest Auntie Intisar,
I have been waiting
For many, many days
Many, many weeks
To come back home
And see you
Give you a big hug
I miss you so
I miss my bedtime stories
You used to tell me
Ali Baba, wishater Hassan
I miss your warm and gentle hand
Stroking through my hair
Till I fall asleep
I tried to come with my mum
And cross the boarders
Many times
“They” wouldn’t let us through
If I’d known
That this is what they’d do
I would never ever have left Palestine
But don’t worry auntie
Because I have a plan…
When I grow up
I’ll go to university
I’ll study magic
then become a fairy
I’ll turn all the soldiers into little ants
Harmless, tiny and peaceful
They’ll go away
And Leave us alone
We’ll cross the boarders
And be together again
In our homeland
Palestine
Love, hugs and kisses
Your niece
Nahida x x x
x x x x x
Filed under: poems for Palestine |
Poetry for Palestine 
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