For Refaat Alareer: Palestinian Poet, Professor, Writer

[Date Published: 7 December 2024]

Dr Refaat Alareer was martyred in Gaza on 7 December 2023. I had been in touch with him after reading the powerfully moving book, 'Gaza Writes Back,' which he'd edited. His brutal murder shattered me. 

In honour of this brave and brilliant academic, poet, and writer, I wrote this poem. 




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FOR REFAAT ALAREER

by Shivani Chaudhry 


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They feared your words, they killed you

But couldn't slay your words.

Your words are wisdom 

Hope and resistance 

Dreams and defiance

Praxis and pain

Courage and compassion

Truth and love

 

Each word a white kite

Soaring over global skies

Echoing in halls of justice

In every language of our souls

In every river of freedom

Your words, immortal

Your life, a timeless tale, always

Inspiring the world to write back

 

Let no one ever say words are powerless

====


Read Refaat's last poem—'If I must die'—now translated into multiple languages:
https://ifimustdie.net/

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