Voices of Gaza: Palestinian poet reflects on life during two years of war

Key Concepts

• Poetry as a tool for bearing witness and expressing lived experience during conflict.
• The transformation of everyday objects (bread) into symbols of fear and scarcity due to war.
• Writing as a personal necessity, moral/national duty, and coping mechanism.
• The role of art in transforming pain into strength and giving voice to a silenced people.
• Critique of the international community's response to the conflict in Gaza.
• The disconnect between global solidarity and tangible action to stop violence and alleviate suffering.
• The concept of "criminals" running the world, immune to international pressure or human conscience.
• The perceived disappearance of humanity in the face of ongoing conflict.

Poetry as a Witness to Life in Gaza

Lea Salma, a Palestinian studying English, has utilized poetry as a powerful medium to convey the realities of life in Gaza over two years of war. Her work serves as a testament to the profound impact of conflict on daily existence.

The Transformation of Everyday Life: The Example of Bread

A poignant example of this transformation is found in Salma's July poem, written before a ceasefire. She describes a past where "bread was just bread, warm, absent of fear, a silent guest at morning tables." This contrasts sharply with the present, where bread "waits behind barricades of air strikes and silence," its familiar scent replaced by "the smoke of waiting." This illustrates how basic necessities become imbued with terror and scarcity under siege.

The Genesis of a Poet: Necessity and Duty

Salma states, "I never decided to become a poet. Um I had never even been write before the genocide." The overwhelming circumstances of the "genocide" compelled her to write. She explains that "everything around me to uh called me to be written about." Writing evolved into a dual necessity: "Writing became both a necessity and a moral and a national duty." Beyond these imperatives, it also served as a personal coping mechanism: "And to be honest, it was also my way to breathe and a space to let it go everything inside me."

Transforming Pain into Strength and Giving Voice

Through the act of writing, Salma found a way to process her experiences: "Through writing, I began to understand my pain and transform it into strength." Her poetry transcends personal catharsis, becoming a collective voice: "It became the voice of my people, a witness that refuses to be uh to be silenced."

Critique of the International Response

Salma acknowledges the global awareness and support for her people: "I've seen the world move for us and we are we see people trying through pots, through protests or even small simplest acts. We feel their love and solidity." However, she critically observes that this solidarity has been insufficient: "But none of that has been enough to stop our killing or to ease our hunger."

The World Run by "Criminals"

She posits a stark view of global governance, stating, "because this world is run by criminals untouched by international pressure or human consc consciousness." This suggests a systemic failure where those in power are impervious to ethical considerations or the consequences of their actions.

The Disappearance of Humanity

Despite the expressions of global solidarity, Salma notes a disturbing trend: "Still those uh voices around the world remind us the humanity has been completely disappear." This implies that while individual acts of compassion exist, the overarching global response reflects a profound absence of collective human empathy and decisive action.

Conclusion

Lea Salma's poetry offers a powerful and deeply personal account of life under prolonged conflict in Gaza. Her journey from non-writer to poet highlights the transformative power of art in bearing witness, processing trauma, and amplifying the voices of the oppressed. Her work serves as a critical indictment of the international community's perceived inaction and a somber reflection on the erosion of humanity in the face of ongoing violence and suffering.