Not long ago I took part in a workshop in London that was jointly organized by young Palestinians and Israeli, and discussed prospects for a just peace, emphasizing the imperative of ending ‘the occupation.’ At about the same time I experienced the radiant energy of the young occupiers at Wall Street and near St Paul’s Cathedral. Several months ago I was in Cairo not long after Mubarak left power, and visited Tahrir Square still alive with its memories of occupation by the protesters. Occupation became a word of many resonances, both favorable and heinous, and this poem tries to acknowledge this interplay of feelings of solidarity and alienation. Perhaps, it is too personal to be sharable.
*********
Reflections on Two Occupations
To live to love
is to occupy
to be
occupied
By whom with whom
Occupy/ing
Tahrir Square
Wall Street
St Paul’s Cathedral
the world
To hope to dream
to act
is
to
occupy
By whom for whom
To fear to hide
to resist
is to be
(pre)occupied
from within
from without
It was once your land
I entered your land
picking olives
settling there
Buying occupying
Above all remembering
another distant tale
Filled with tears and dying
my land
my law
my birthright
And now ours to keep:
history forgives
what is stolen if time passes quietly
Long ago now
I did ask you to leave
in a polite voice
then a raised voice
then a scream
then no voice at all
to go get out
All I wanted then was for birds
to sing some old songs
All I wanted was for flowers
to bend toward home
And now I declare
to myself to you
to the world
this occupation will end:
The graves
already full
as dawn
splits
the Jerusalem sky in two
What is occupied with love lives
What is occupied with force kills
before it dies and lives again
elsewhere
I never wanted this earth scorched
moist with
native blood
amid the ruins
I fight resist pray
XI/22/2011
Global Justice in the 21st Century 
Lovely. My favorite line is this:
All I wanted then was for birds
to sing some old songs
Thanks, Heidi, for such such a generous response! And Happy Thanksgiving.
Hoping everything is fine, and that you enjoy Wisconsin. We are in Montreal
until the end of 2011, and ‘surviving’ a real winter! warmly, Richard
Very special, very beautiful!
Thanks, Jane, for such a strong vote of confidence, which is appreciated, and even needed!
Happy Thanksgiving from here in Canada that celebrates the holiday less visibly and earlier.
Greetings, Richard
Strikingly beautiful. This reminds me of Ed Sanders poetry, especially his epic poem of 20th Century American history. Has a mythic ring to it. Thank you.
Thanks. I will find Ed Sanders poetry, particularly the poem you mention. With my greetings, RF
Lovely Richard. I think not “too personal to be sharable.”
I imagine I have a strong sense of where you are coming from.
” What is occupied with love lives
What is occupied with force kills “
Thanks, David, I am sure that you do, and glad that the poem travels
okay beyond the self that produced it. Happy Thanksgiving as today is
the American holiday, although I am here in Canada. Greetings, Richard
Hi Richard,
Beautiful poem!
I’ve just just joined “Occupy Mac” here on campus and will take the opportunity to share some of your thoughts on a just world order with them. I’m also having an art exhibition, which will be “sponsored” by Henry Giroux’s Public Intellectual Project.
Best regards
Karl Stefan
Thanks, Karl Stefan. You sound as though your creative energy are in high gear! Happy Thanksgiving
as today is the American holiday, which I feel although still here in wintery Montreal. Warmly, Richard
I’ve read it but a couple of times…. Not enough ! Not enough ! Will read, again… So I can feel the pungent truth of the words, again… And, again; so I can, truly, feel that my thoughts and feelings, as uncertain and shy and overwhelming as they might be, they are not mine alone….. A great voice has already given words to my thoughts… and feelings ☺
Thanks Ketty for giving me this encouragement! From Canada I send you
Thanksgiving greetings as today is the American holiday. Richard
This is my favorite poem so far!
Thanks, Levi, for reading and commenting so graciously. Happy Thanksgiving! Richard
Dear Richard,
great thoughts expressed in your poem !
Be sure that your words, your poems, will still be alive read and heard when other things are gone …
Its always the spirit winning …
even when political occupations don’t end quickly …
that’s what ruling politicans fear …
this certainity …
monalisa
Dear Monalisa:
Thanks for such reassuring thoughts. Wishing you much joy on this American Thanksgiving while I am here in very wintery Montreal.
Warm wishes, Richard
Playfully, painful & personal. I feel your love & passion for Palestine & deep sorrow, however, the playfulness allows me to feel the sweetness in your heart & hope for tomorrow. Simply eloquent, Richard.
Thanks for sharing.
Your words and pictures always move me. You are so alive to both the joy and sadness of our world!