Solidarity

Is not something you discuss over dinner

It is not a hypothetical position to be

Defended on theoretical chessboards

It is not an artful argument

It does more than merely ‘strike a chord’

Solidarity

Is not the sum of its facebook likes

It is not painting your face for the day

We Were All Palestinians

Then pressing play on real life

And pause on the siege

Till the next time Gaza bleeds

Solidarity

Lives in blood and bone

It’s the calling of another land your home

Just because it’s here on planet earth

The calling of another’s brother kin

Just because he’s here on planet earth

And we have some power and freedom here

For what it’s worth

And if there be such a thing

This killing is a sin

And so is silence

Solidarity

Is a reflex that can’t be curbed by convenience

Feet that march till the tanks stop

Voices chanting till the lies stop

Eyes still open till the killings stop

A full, heavy silence for the naming of the dead

Then no justice, no peace –

Hands off the Middle East!

For Ali Saad Dawabsheh

تضامن

All photography my own