written in response to "Israeli airstrikes in Gaza City leaving at least 42 dead, buildings flattened" (Global News, May 16) and "No sign of Israel-Gaza conflict ending" (The New York Times, May 16)
in the night sky
clusters of falling light ...
from Gaza rooftops
Allahu Akbar! Allahu Akbar!
amid the cacophony of cries
FYI: Allahu Akbar is Arabic for God is great
Added:
one ball
of smoke and fire
after another
the piercing midnight cries
Ahmed, Ahmed... cut off
Added:
the skeleton
of a bombed-out Gaza home
blood-stained prayer rugs
Added:
gathering dark
at the end of a tunnel
under Gaza
all that remains
of the militants' dreams
Added:
shouting and clapping
as a Gaza boy is pulled
from the rubble ...
the only one left
from a family of ten
