Chen-ou Liu's Translation Project: First English-Chinese Haiku and Tanka Blog

Thursday, December 25, 2025

Fairyland Reindeers and Gaza Mules Tanka

Against the Drowning Noise of Other Words, CCLVIII: "fairyland reindeers and Gaza mules"

a dream and yet ...
Rudolph guides Santa Claus's sleigh
through smoky skies
then past Gaza mules hauling
a flatbed cart of bodies



FYI: Reuters, December 25, 2025In first Christmas sermon, Pope Leo decries conditions for Palestinians in Gaza

Leo, the first U.S. pope, said the story of Jesus being born in a stable showed that God had "pitched his fragile tent" among the people of the world.

"How, then, can we not think of the tents in Gaza, exposed for weeks to rain, wind and cold?" he asked.


Added: Against the Drowning Noise of Other Words, CCLIX: "Gaza news"

Gaza news on mute
blood-red dots spattered
on my canvas


FYI: Haaretz, December 25, 2025Defense Minister Again Vows Gaza Settlements, Says Israel 'De Facto' Annexing West Bank

Israel Katz said IDF bases and a yeshiva should be established in northern Gaza, despite a flip-flop on the issue earlier this week after a similar statement. Katz also hailed Israel's West Bank policy as 'de facto annexation' – expanding settlements while expelling Palestinians from 'terror camps'