ahmad had those
wildly intense
eyes that
would stare through you
as he spoke and
would light up
every now and then
as he listened and
would drive me crazy
what
does he want from me?
i remember ahmad
when
he returned from prison
to ya‘bad
and his grandmother
ululated in jubilation
danced in happiness
served coffee to share
her happiness
and it was ahmad
who took me around the village
when i came on
mundane visit
to see all houses
demolished or sealed
in town
recording a history
of occupation
human rights work
is nice
when you have time to spare
and now
ahmad’s eyes speak no more
nor listen
their words were far too strong
the message uncompromising:
freedom for Palestine
now
on october 8 of 1988
the army came to ya‘bad
and took
a single shot
at ahmad
