‘The Olive Tree’: Poem In Honour Of Palestinian Children And Hope

No matter where the borders on this earth are drawn and redrawn by pre-colonials, colonials, and post-colonials, our Earth will always grow Palestinian trees, Palestinian children, and Palestinian hope, writes Ghia Haddad.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 30 December 2023 11:45 am

Artwork titled ‘Live to Fight Another Day’ by Ghia Haddad

Fifteen years ago, I bought an olive tree sapling at a fundraiser. The small plants were carefully transported from Palestine and one found its way into our backyard. I remember planting it while my three children were playing around me. Little did I know that, like them, the tree would not only thrive, but it would also grow to become a notable presence in our garden and our lives — a daily testament to resilience. Let’s all of us remember this: no matter where the borders on this earth are drawn and redrawn by pre-colonials, colonials, and post-colonials, our Earth will always grow Palestinian trees, Palestinian children, and Palestinian hope. ?

This poem is written in honour of all of them.?

The Olive Tree

Negative space?
White between the branches of olive?
Looking up, I count the spiky leaves ?
Drawing pictures in the sky?
Pockets of air in barbed wire?
Faces and places peeking ?
Behind shards of military green?

A coincidence? ?
This fateful colour for a tree?
Caught in crossfire??
Or was it created to endure??
To recount the lives of people?
Who refuse to stop breathing??

I am grateful for this seed?
This sapling that found me ?
I wonder what checkpoints it crossed?
What paths brought it here?
To help me remember ?
The age of my children?
And the stories of others’ ?

(Ghia Haddad lives in Dubai.?She can be reached at her website https://www.ghiahaddad.com/?and on Instagram at @ghia_artdesign.)