I Know Not One Palestinian, but Yet I Hurt

I know not one single Palestinian but still I hurt. 

I don't know about you but I hurt. I hurt for those children, those beautiful children dying. Children being slaughtered, being maimed, being orphaned for the sins of others, can this be right? 

Listened to Linda Ronstadt's Long Long Time and hearing the words, Love will abide. Where the fuck is the love for all those children. 

I sit here and I hurt. I know not one Palestinian person, never mind a child. So what the heck is it any of my business. Who am I to shed a tear, to have a heavy heart, to feel angry, to feel helpless, to feel the need to act out. 

I don't know one single Palestinian. Yet, I look for the testimonies of the families. I look for their words. I look for the photographs. I look for the videos. When I hear their voices, see their videos, see their photographs and see their blown up little bodies, I cry. I hurt for them. 

I know not one Palestinian. Should it matter that I do not know any of the names. Should it matter the photograph of the little body that is all burnt up is a child I do not know. 

If I know one Palestinian would it make me care more. Would I cry more. Would I be more angry. Would I scream at the government for supporting the "war." The war which is actually a literal genocide. 

If I do not know one Palestinian should I bother to watch the videos. Should I bother to post on social media about the children. Should I just watch the news on celebrity entertainment. Should I wonder how Taylor Swift is touring and how her music sales are going. 

I sit here listening to Dropkick Murphys, "I wish you were here," and think I wish they were here. The Children of Palestine. The song says, "When I'm looking back on the time we shared. Oh, we know you were loved and that I always cared, I always cared." I didn't know them but yet I always cared. 

I know not one Palestinian, but yet I hurt. 

I can only offer my tears, my heart ache and my voice. If there is love out there, where is it for the Palestinians. 

I know not one Palestinian, but yet I hurt.

Tearful Honour