8th March

International Women’s Day

For International Women’s Day – A poem by prof.Ada Aharoni of IFLAC – thank you to Irit Hakim for sharing.

Siniora: My New Friend in Gaza

Your shy smile under your veil
And luminous dark eyes in the theatre
Of life, of strife, caught my eye
In the Ability Center in Khan Yunis, in Gaza.
I invited you to take a picture with us
And you charmingly accepted.
I gave you my peace poetry book in Arabic translation,
You read and said: “You love Peace as much as me!”
And you gave me your address, for more of my books.
You pointed out from the window
To the impressive new buildings in Gaza,
And we became new friends.
With women it is as easy as that.

You asked me about my children,
I asked you about your family, your plans,
You showed me your artwork, your workshop,
I showed you my inner writing, my pictures, my peace dreams.
You showed me your impressive museum
With gorgeous embroidered Palestinian dresses,
You gently asked: “Which one do you like best?”
I pointed to the dark blue with red embroidery,
Like the one I used to wear in Egypt, a long time ago,
And in my poetry presentations.
“I’ll embroider it for you, and send it to you to Haifa,”
You promptly, softly said.
I was so moved, and hugged you dear Siniora,
My new friend in Gaza.
When our blue bus drove away,
We both had tears in our eyes,
My wonderful new friend in Gaza –
With women it is as natural, as easy as that.

Men ! Learn from women for a change,
Let women help you make peace, make friends,
With women it is as natural, as easy as that.

Ada Aharoni