Write about your homeland
Featuring a 19-year-old's poem about Palestine
For this issue I wanted to share this beautiful poem by a local young women named, Aseel Milhem. She’s a 19-year-old who lives in Dearborn, Michigan, but before that, she was born and raised in Anabta, a town in Tulkarm, Palestine.
Like many writers, she writes to hold onto her identity and to express herself. She feels hopeless and frustrated most of the time when seeing news of attacks on Gaza and across the West Bank, where most of her family resides. But she recognizes the importance of continuing to talk about, and write about Palestine.
She wrote about the beauty of her homeland and how her people love and resist. It’s a reminder for all of us to hold onto our roots, share our stories with the world and save them for ourselves and future generations.
“In these times, I want the poem to remind people of the beauty, history, and hope that continue to shine despite everything, and to inspire a sense of unity and strength,” Aseel said.
Read Aseel’s poem below in English, followed by her Arabic version. Don’t forget to share it!
English:
I write about my homeland, Palestine..
About its vast plains and endless horizons
About stars that light up its nights, and a moon that embraces its sea
About the morning breezes that carry the dreams of children
And the scent of the earth after the rain.
Write about Palestine..
About a love that is planted in hearts and quenched by eyes
About a mother who embraces her children with endless warmth
About a father who struggles for a dignified life
About childhood memories in the alleyways of neighborhoods.
Write about Palestine..
About a history written with the blood of martyrs
About a civilization whose roots extend deep into time
About a heritage we carry in our hearts and are proud of
About hope that shines in eyes despite all obstacles.
Write about Palestine..
About the call to prayer that rises with the dawn
About children playing in schoolyards
About youth dreaming of a bright future
And elders recounting stories of the past with pride and honor.
Write about Palestine..
About Jerusalem that dwells in our hearts
About its olives, cacti, and the resilience of its people
About a love that never extinguishes and a light that never fades
About a spirit that unites in the face of adversity
About a homeland we all strive to build
With love, work, sacrifice, and hope.
-Aseel Milhem
Arabic:
اكتب عن وطني فلسطين
عن سهولها الواسعة وأفقها بلا حدود
عن نجوم تضيء لياليها، وقمر يعانق بحرها
عن نسمات الفجر التي تحمل أماني الصغار
ورائحة الأرض بعد المطر
اكتب عن فلسطين
عن حبٍ يزرع في القلوب ويرتوي من العيون
عن أم تحتضن أبناءها بدفء لا ينتهي
عن أب يكافح لأجل حياة كريمة
عن ذكريات الطفولة في أزقة الحارات
اكتب عن فلسطين
عن تاريخ كتب بدماء الشهداء
عن حضارة تمتد جذورها في عمق الزمان
عن تراث نحمله في قلوبنا ونفخر به
عن أمل يشرق في العيون رغم كل العثرات
اكتب عن فلسطين
عن صوت الأذان يرتفع مع بزوغ الفجر
عن أطفال يلعبون في ساحات المدارس
عن شباب يحلمون بمستقبل مشرق
وعن شيوخ يروون قصص الماضي بفخر واعتزاز
اكتب عن فلسطين
عن القدس التي تسكن في قلوبنا
عن زيتونها وصبارها وصمود أهلها
عن حب لا ينطفئ ونور لا يخبو
عن روح تتحد في وجه الصعاب
عن وطن نسعى جميعاً لبنائه
بالحب والعمل والتضحية والأمل
The Arabic is especially beautiful mashallah