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.