Born in Jerusalem
Born in Jerusalem (Artist/ Image: Manal Deeb) In Hebrew print scribbled somewhere in my green Identity card, born in Jerusalem Sometime ago. For life A green little card casts me away from Jerusalem. Visitations are authorized To the city where life is dying No colors are allowed, Only blue and red Blue cards and red blood. Born in Jerusalem a city alien to me. I do not know Jerusalem I cannot speak its language. I spoke English with an Iranian Jew A big smile on his face “You are a very nice lady”. Where is AL-Quds ?? History hides itself in shame In between the stones of thousands years of tales of coexistence. One color, one Jerusalem I hide inside my city It is no longer my city. Where was I born?? Nowhere, I guess. Blue and white flags reign A reminder, an assertion of power. I never knew that power stands so fearful of other colors. No green, no black, but yes red paints its face...