Voices From the Homeland (Part Two)

(Almessiri, 1982)

Mahmoud Darwish began his poetic career in the 1960's and rose to fame in the 1970's when he became noted for his metaphorical explanations of the Palestinian reality. The suffering he writes of is his own, but he knows that he is writing for his people. Darwish's words, like Zayad's have often been made into songs for the Palestinian struggle, and he is recognized as one of the greatest Arab poets writing today. This small section is from a poem called "Poem of the Land" which refers to the Day of the Land, a day that is noted annually by Palestinians on March 30. It is a dedication to the student demonstrators and five young girls who were shot and killed by the Israeli army in 1976.

From "Poem of the Land"
by Mahmoud Darwish
(born 1942)

...."A small evening
A neglected village
Two sleeping eyes
Thirty years
Five wars
I witness that time hides for me
an ear of wheat
The singer sings
Of fire and strangers
Evening was evening
The singer was singing

And they question him
Why do you sing?
He answers them as they seize him
Because I sing

And they have searched him:
In his breast only his heart
In his heart only his people
In his voice only his sorrow

(from Jayussi, 1992)

The important duality of roles for Palestinian poets is apparent in these and others words. Darwish, Abu Salma, Tuqan, and other Palestinian poets are more than just poets. They and their experiences are part of a tragic Palestinian history, and they have recorded it for us to experience, understand and remember. They write not because they want to, but because they have to; not merely for themselves, but for their people. They are poets, but consciously or not, they are spokespeople as well. For a Palestinian --whether in exile or in the homeland -- the experience of misery, loss, sorrow, and yearning for justice is the same. And while it may not be the job of poets to speak our collective experiences, and feelings, Palestinian poets have done just that.

For some excellent books of Palestinian poetry, try:

Jayussi, S. K. (1992). Anthology of Modern Palestinian Literature. New York: Columbia University Press.

Almessiri, A. (1982). The Palestinian Wedding (Three Continents Press).

Palestine and Modern Arab Poetry (by K. Sulaiman, 1984, Zed Books Ltd. London)

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