Against the Drowning Noise of Other Words, CXLII: "blood stained wooden Jesus"
inspired by Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac's Christmas sermon: “Christ is Still in the Rubble”
Christmas Eve
blood stained wooden Jesus
still in Gaza's rubble
FYI: This is a sequel to the following tanka:
written in response to Palestinian Pastor Munther Isaac's Christmas sermon:
In these last two months, the psalms of lament have become a precious companion to us. We cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken Gaza? Why do you hide your face from Gaza?”
my God, my God
why have you forsaken me?
bloodied Jesus
trapped under Gaza rubble
in the Christmas cold
And FYI: Democracy Now, Dec. 23: “This Is Cruelty. This Is Not War.” Pope Francis Condemns Israel on Gaza
Added: Against the Drowning Noise of Other Words, CXLIII: "peace for all"
Hanukkah lights
a tattooed survivor holds
a Peace for All sign
FYI: For 2024, Hanukkah, a 8-day “festival of lights,” begins at sundown on Dec. 25, and lasts for eight nights. The holiday ends at sundown on Jan. 2, 2026.
Added: Against the Drowning Noise of Other Words, CXLIX: "ghost town"
ghost town
a Gazan's mind a labyrinth
of dead bodies
FYI: Haaretz, Dec. 22: Jabalya Refugee Camp, One of the World's Most Densely Populated Areas, Is Now a Ghost Town
The IDF operated in Jabalya twice before, but this time, the camp was taken apart, leading to the systematic crushing of Hamas. Jabalya, regarded as the cradle of the first intifada, is also deeply tied to the attacks of October 7