Location: Gaza, Palestine a week after the ceasefire Photograph: Duha Hasan

Poem: “Until We Meet in Jerusalem"

 

Ali Skaik reciting his poem named “Until We Meet in Jerusalem” in Gaza City

Until We Meet in Jerusalem

Theme: Love Letters to Palestine

O Jenin, O Tulkarem,  

we bleed the same,  

we rise the same.  

Under raids and ruins,  

we hold on like roots in stone.  

You are not alone.  

We carry each other.

And oh Jerusalem

And oh Jerusalem

how I dream to pray beneath your sky,  

to touch your ancient walls,  

to breathe your holy air,  

to visit you for a day, 

even if it costs me my life.

One day, we’ll meet there

strong, unbroken,  

under the call to prayer.