Most Precious Gifts
By Nahida the Exiled Palestinian
15 June, 2012
Uprooted Palestinian
Leaving Palestine when I was seven put my life on hold
Leaving Palestine today tore my soul away
Shredded, it lingered behind
Scattered between the hills
of El Haram El Shareef and Olive Mount
Casting her shadow
A rainbow of tenderness and love
over the graves of her ancestors
Drenched with sorrow
Imbued with sadness
Empty, as if bereaved;
I walked away
"Cheer up", I whispered in my ear
"Think of what you just had
where have you been?
what have you seen?"
Sparkles of light peeked through my grief
Sprouting lilies
Blossoming hearts and stars
Then I heard my heart singing
I had been to PALESTINE
I had been to PALESTINE
I had seen it IN SPRING
I had seen it IN SPRING
First time since exile
Forty five years of cruel exile
I had been to PALESTINE
A beatific gift... humbling down
Thank you God, Most Gracious, Most Sublime
I had been to PALESTINE
I had the honour to stand before a child
whose gaze caresses Jerusalem hills
as she wanders in her thoughts
At night, she opens the door
Her colourful dreams run out
flying over the village next door
Lifta
Stroking her hills, calming her fears
Giving Lifta solace in her solitude
Praying with her for the return of her loved ones
Humbled, besotted, full of adoration
I fall on my knees
Thank you God, Most Gracious, Most Sublime
I had been to PALESTINE
I had the pleasure
of looking into the eyes of my grandmother
To kneel before her, kiss her hand
To see her smiling
To hear her voice
To hold her close
To dry my tears with her veil
To soothe my heart with her prayers
Thank you God, Most Gracious, Most Sublime
I had been to PALESTINE
With the eyes of my soul
I had seen my many loved ones
my parched heart swells with gratitude
Flowers with joy
Smiles grow broad, sincere and serene
Thank you God, Most Gracious, Most Sublime
YES,
I had been to PALESTINE
Thank you God, Most Gracious, Most Sublime
Nahida is a Jerusalem-born Palestinian refugee living in exile for over 42 years. She was forced to leave her homeland, Palestine at the age of seven during the six-day war. She is a mathematician by profession. She has published two books- I Believe in Miracles, and Palestine, The True Story. Email: [email protected]
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