Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Ella Bat-Tsion

SHOUT OF A BEDOUIN WOMAN


A shout of a Bedouin woman from a Bedouin tribe
Which the state uprooted from their land
And replaced with camels made of iron
(I wrote her monologue from memory
After watching the news
Of Friday, 29 January '94)

---
"This is my land and this is my home
This is my land and this is my home
If only we could live and die on this land
We love our land so much
If only we could live and die on this land
If only, if only, if only

How can one live like this?
From all sides, closed
On one side the border guard
On one side the nature warden
On one side there is nowhere to go
On one side ---

I am a widow woman and have no saviour
I am a widow woman and have no saviour
I have no one but Allah

I have no one but Allah
Allah is my saviour
Allah is my only saviour
I cry and shout: people, do help me
But I have no one but Allah
Allah is my only saviour
Here is my land and here is my home
Here is my land and here is my home
Here was my fire
Here I used to cook, to make bread
Here is my fire
If only I could die on my land, if only
I shout and cry: people, do help me

But no one hears me"
---

SHOUT OF A BEDOUIN WOMAN

Close

SHOUT OF A BEDOUIN WOMAN


A shout of a Bedouin woman from a Bedouin tribe
Which the state uprooted from their land
And replaced with camels made of iron
(I wrote her monologue from memory
After watching the news
Of Friday, 29 January '94)

---
"This is my land and this is my home
This is my land and this is my home
If only we could live and die on this land
We love our land so much
If only we could live and die on this land
If only, if only, if only

How can one live like this?
From all sides, closed
On one side the border guard
On one side the nature warden
On one side there is nowhere to go
On one side ---

I am a widow woman and have no saviour
I am a widow woman and have no saviour
I have no one but Allah

I have no one but Allah
Allah is my saviour
Allah is my only saviour
I cry and shout: people, do help me
But I have no one but Allah
Allah is my only saviour
Here is my land and here is my home
Here is my land and here is my home
Here was my fire
Here I used to cook, to make bread
Here is my fire
If only I could die on my land, if only
I shout and cry: people, do help me

But no one hears me"
---

SHOUT OF A BEDOUIN WOMAN


A shout of a Bedouin woman from a Bedouin tribe
Which the state uprooted from their land
And replaced with camels made of iron
(I wrote her monologue from memory
After watching the news
Of Friday, 29 January '94)

---
"This is my land and this is my home
This is my land and this is my home
If only we could live and die on this land
We love our land so much
If only we could live and die on this land
If only, if only, if only

How can one live like this?
From all sides, closed
On one side the border guard
On one side the nature warden
On one side there is nowhere to go
On one side ---

I am a widow woman and have no saviour
I am a widow woman and have no saviour
I have no one but Allah

I have no one but Allah
Allah is my saviour
Allah is my only saviour
I cry and shout: people, do help me
But I have no one but Allah
Allah is my only saviour
Here is my land and here is my home
Here is my land and here is my home
Here was my fire
Here I used to cook, to make bread
Here is my fire
If only I could die on my land, if only
I shout and cry: people, do help me

But no one hears me"
---
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