Three Poems on Palestine

Ancestors Calling 

Our roots are buried deep and proud. 
They were there before we were born and will remain after we leave. 
They whisper stories of the past, 
to keep us grounded and connected to the land. 
Our roots are like those of an olive grove 
carrying stories buried in soil, 
beneath the earth. 
Sometimes, on a windy day, you might hear the farmers’ 
whisper free the land 

Olive Tree 

Roots spreading deep in every direction 
standing strong and proud 
The olive tree was there before I was born, 
and it will remain after I leave. 
She saw us laugh and play cry and fight 
she whispered stories of a forgotten era, 
to remind us 
to ground us 

Digging up the Past

My grandparents’ stories live within me 
I am the vessel carrying our buried ancestral past 
I bury my hands in the soil to uproot the memories 
bringing them to the surface 
Even though my tongue speaks the language of the colonizers, 
my duty is to make our history resurface 
to make their voices 
and their stories heard. 

Abeer Alaloul is an author, poet, educator, and performer. She was born in Jerusalem and grew up in Ontario, Canada. Alaloul holds a bachelor’s degree in education and a BA in English Language and Literature. She uses the arts as a medium to advocate for social justice issues and to voice the narrative of marginalised communities. Alaloul currently resides in the UAE, where she is an active member of the spoken word scene appearing as a regular participant at Rooftop Rhythms, Poetryhood, and with the Blank Space community. She recently published a poetry collection called Life in Pieces which sold copies worldwide.

Artwork by Hayfaa Chalabi