If Jesus came again she’d be born a Palestinian
by Janet Hatherley
toddle amongst the grass roots
of her people.
Like them her existence
would not be recognised
by the western world.
Israel wants them either dead
or gone.
White stars would rain on her
from the night sky like fireworks
but these would be phosphorous.
The heavy bombs built to drop
on armoured vehicles
would fall
and the walls of her bedroom
would crumble. She would lie
under the rubble of many homes
for many days
or she would be found.
On another night without anaesthetic
her legs would be amputated.
She would face years of pain.
Finally, she would grow to be a leader
for all the peoples—
equality spilling from her hands, like seeds.
