Hopedance

Remembrance

by Michael McLaughlin

12/8/2000

I cried today
for Samir Ammar Al Masani
killed on Via Dolorosa
in Jerusalem.

The traditional route: Jesus' crucifixion
Why are they killing
these teenage kids?

Guns in hand soldiers sit
on Palestinian roofs
God's chosen, the Israelis
They've got their fucking land.

I cried the pool of blood
his body left
(Troops firing on Muslims
Leaving their prayers.)
Friends dipping their hands
in the blood from his head.
I cried for my son whose blood is yours
My family, my friends whose blood
is yours.

I cried my tiny pool of hopeless defiance
As the red hands
of Samir's friends were held aloft

I cried for those kids. All kids.
Our kids.
As his friends took their hands
Stone walls of the alley. Prints
lining
the walls
In Rememberance.