This blog offers a glimpse into the life of an Iranian woman and her honest view on world affairs and issues which concerns her country, Iran. 
O’ pupils of Gaza
Care not . . about our broadcasts . .
And hear us not . .
Strike . .
Strike . .
With all your powers
And firmly in your hands take matters
And ask us not . .
We the people of arithmetic . .
And of addition . . And of subtraction . .
Your wars do carry on.. And abstain from us . .
We’re the deserters
from the service,
Your ropes do bring
And hang us . . .
We’re mortals . .
Who possess not tombs
And orphans . .
who possess not masters
We kept already to our rooms . .
And we asked you
To fight the dragon . .
We’ve diminished, before you
A thousand century . .
Poem by Nizar Qabbani
December 30, 2008 at 12:08 am
Was this poem written with the recent events in mind or is it an older piece which applies to what is going on in that region?
December 30, 2008 at 12:14 am
Behrang, This is an old poem, since Nizar Qabbani passed away on 1998.
I see that some muslims who live peacefully say:”O’ Gazans, strike, we pray for you!” And when thats the time, they leave them alone, let them get slaughtered.
I thought this poem applies to the nowadays’ situation. Muslims use their guns for each other but not for the real enemy of humanity. It irritates me alot when we muslims are such ignorant nation..
I am sure God will send down bad muslims to hell first!!
December 30, 2008 at 12:32 am
“The real enemy of humanity” is intolerance. There is no right or wrong, no good or bad. These things are all matters of opinion. The real key is to understand that people are different. One should be okay with this fact, and if not cherish it, at least tolerate it.
December 30, 2008 at 12:35 am
Behrang, difference between people do not give them the right to kill other beings.. Since start of attack to Gaza, 400 Gazans have been killed in 2 days. Most of them children and women who were starving in siege during previous months. It’s so unfair, so injust, so inhuman. It’s devil, not just bad..
December 30, 2008 at 12:40 am
That is my point. It is intolerance that has lead to this state of affairs. People can choose to live peacefully with each other, or they can claim that their differences are so vast that they must blow each other up.
I think we believe the same thing, but for difference reasons.
Thanks for posting this poem
December 30, 2008 at 12:45 am
Behrang, i agree with real peace based on justice and understanding.
But Israel closed borders on Gaza to obtain medicine and food even within ceasefire. Means Israel does not really seek peace or tolerance..
Welcome.. Nizar Qabbani is a known poet.
December 31, 2008 at 3:36 am
I swear that Israel is happiest when it kills and strikes on her enemies. Even Orthodox Jews do not recognise her supposed needto exist. I still say if Jews are supposedly that oppressed, the Europeans should have given up some of their land, not make the Palestinians suffer. Or, like tons of people worldwide, if you are oppressed, come to America!!
December 31, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Kahve, it’s exactly what i’m thinking right now..
January 1, 2009 at 8:19 am
Reading this poem and the fact that it is an old poem, one is reminded that the israeli oppression against Palestinians has not stopped ever since the hypocrite colonizing west had planted those arrogant zionists in the land of others, to use them to divide this strategic part of the world eke the Arabs may unite and become a super power. Zioisrael is an american proxy state, america is the one behind the eveil doing in this world, israel is too little in human values and has no respect for humanity, its jewish inhabibtants are but refuge seeking dwarfs, the rejects of the west, and one day their role will be exhausted and america will leave them to their historical fate..
I still remember the same gaza attacks on Arafat when he refused to sign a blank check for ending the Palestinian cause, the same fierce bombing of children and women, the same excuses, the same world disgust with the israeli mega use of cowardly military american might, the same american coverup, the same attempts to hide the truth from the SHEEPLE of the world.
January 1, 2009 at 11:56 am
Xavier, A state that has been founded on blood of innocent civilians, a terrorist state will not last so long..
It’s a great lesson of the history that bloodthirst tyrants will be finally wiped away with humiliation..
January 1, 2009 at 6:25 pm
I feel so heart broken about what is going on,I’m tired of all this killing,why wont people stop!
January 1, 2009 at 7:47 pm
Smiley Amal, Me too.
January 1, 2009 at 10:43 pm
Few hundred Israelis have kept billions of humans as hostage…always killing the innocent and threatening peace of the world. Injustice can not live forever, soon they will be gone like it has always happened through out the history of mankind.
Children, man and women of Gaza will live forever for standing up to the might army of steel and ammunition. Just two years ago few hundreds of Hizb showed this army where do they really stand.
Allah bless innocents from the devils of earth.
January 5, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Zios, Thank you for your comment. So true. Ameen for your dua..