Ashraf in the park
It was an autumn Friday morning
Children in their schools
Little Ashraf was lonely
How about… going out to the park ? I said
His face lit up with joy
Got ready in no time
When we got there
He couldn’t even wait to put on his hat
So exited… he ran out ever so fast
We were delighted to see him so happy
Running… Jumping… experiencing the freedom of no curfew
The freedom to play with no soldiers around
My friend Hanifa whispered with joy
Let him do what ever he likes
Let him play… let that be his day
We’ll just watch from a distance
So, he doesn’t get hurt
Ashraf ran to the slide
Suddenly… stopping… standing there frozen
Not knowing what to do
After a while
He ran towards the swings
Suddenly… stopping… frozen yet again
Not knowing what to do
Moved towards the see-saw
He didn’t do a thing
Then he was moving from one ride to the other
Without even trying to try anything
He didn’t know.. what to do
He simply didn’t know… how to play
Tears filled out our eyes
And, we decided to go… help him
Show him how to play
I convinced him to try the swing
Sitting in the swing… frozen
He begged me not to push
I am scared… I am so scared
He kept on saying
Its ok sweetheart
Let’s try something else
That colourful rocket… over there
Unlike the swing it doesn’t move at all
All you have to do Ashraf
Is to climb up the steps to get to the top
Clinging on to me
He anxiously said
And then what?
What if the rocket takes off?
We moved on to the slide
Where we helped him
To climb up the few steps
All he needs to do then
Is to cross over the wooden bridge
To reach to the other side
He couldn’t move a foot… yet again
Hanifa, my friend decided to climb up
To help him cross to the other side
She gave her hand saying
Come on Ashraf
You can do it
Shaking… holding on so tight
He bravely ran towards her
She gave him a big hug
Wonderful … you’re so brave
She said
A big sigh of relief
From little Ashraf, saying
I made it !!
I passed the check-point
Poetry for Palestine 