hatred never ceases by hatred
but by love alone is healed.
this is an ancient and eternal law.
buddha
the opposite of this war is
not peace––
for the possibility
of peace is long
forgotten.
occupations strangulate
one side and suffocate
the other––
the dry dust of hate
rises up in dense clouds to blind
the conscience––
hearts harden until
no blood reaches the
brain––
revenge takes revenge
for revenge––
the strong humiliate
humanity with overwhelming
force––
the weak respond with
terror––
the holy olive tree sprouts
blood.
why this heartless
war? why this hollow
rage?
why this infinitely
escalating
madness?
who dares claim
this borderless land
that cleaves
to trembling
earth?
with burning flesh &
mangled dreams––
this profane calamity
stumbles towards
exhaustion.
& one day, inshallah,
we shall
awake––
ashamed
of our ignorance––
& perhaps, before it is
too late.