The harsh dry wind tugged mercilessly at her skirt, pulling and tearing as she trudged toward the checkpoint. Sweat prickled her forehead, black Hijab sticking to her head like a wet towel as she struggled to breathe in the heat. Bloodstained fingers, arms weakened, but she held her wounded son with all her strength, hope and prayer her only comfort.1
“Bismi Allah arRahmaan arRaheem”
Gunshots sounded in the distance, remote screams of anguish pierced the sand-filled air. But her dark brown eyes glistened with determination as she continued, the chaos in the background like a haze circling her mind, trapping the concentrated expectations of her son’s breathing. She could see the checkpoint in the distance as he lay limp in her arms, each weak breath a wave of relief to her, as she urged him to live that little bit longer. They were almost there.2
“La Hawla wa La Qouwwata Illaa billah”3
She felt him tense in her arms, and looked to his pain-stricken face as a gurgle of agony escaped his small lips. With a cry of despair and panic, she placed him on the sand and tore through her backpack in search of some water. He turned his head, but she gripped his jaw and forced him to drink as what was left of the liquid trickled down his chin. He gulped once, twice and shook his head, coughing violently. She took him into her arms once more, as determined as ever to reach their destination, and ran.4
“Astaghfiru Allaah Rabbi min Kulli Zanbin wa ‘Atoobo Ilayhi”
The metres remaining stretched on forever. The resounding blasts were an eternity away. The pain in her limbs non-existent as she ran. Her son’s blood had dried, his eyes rolled into the back of his head. She screamed and held him tight. They were mere seconds away from the checkpoint as an Israeli soldier approached the two, rifle in hand.5
“A’oudho bi-llaahi min ash-Shaytaani arRajeem”
“Turn back!”6
“Please!” She fell to her knees, placing her son on the ground, “I have papers. Please!” She cried, handing the crumpled documents to the soldier.7
Taking them in his hand, he glared at the woman before him, and tore the papers to shreds.8
“Turn back!”9
“It was an explosion. He will die! He needs a hospital; I need to take him through!”10
The soldier glanced at the limp body before him. The boy’s leg was missing, and his arm twisted horrifically. His bandaged head was stained with blood, and skin tainted black. He must have been no more than seven years old.11
“They will shoot you. Take another road.” The soldier said firmly.12
“Subhaanaka- Allaahum-ma Rabbanaa wa bi-Hamdika Allaahumma-Gghfir Lee.”13
She burst into tears.14
“I have no time, no money! He will die!”15
“Then get a job, and make some money.” 16
He threw the torn documents onto the ground, and as the wind carried the pieces into the desert, he turned and headed back toward the checkpoint.
Sobs wracked her body as she held her son and rocked him back and forth, the wind as merciless as ever tugging at their beings, until his weakened breaths died down completely.17
“Bismi Allah arRahmaan arRaheem…”18
Author notes
The attrocities in Palestine have gone on long enough! The Palestinians in Gaza have had all human rights stripped from their beings.
With 1000 dead, and 4000 injured within 3 weeks alone, it is obvious that this is not a war of self defence, but a war of imperialism and mass genocide, backed by the US.
And as Governments around the world not only remain shamefully silent, but outright support these massacres, it is the people in these countries that rise up in their millions to protest the slaughter and carnage that is happening in Gaza.
Do not argue with me on this. I will tear you apart.
I will also not tolerate anti-semetic views.
Yrs.
Azaradelle.
P.S. I recommend these documentaries on the issue:
- Occupation 101
- Peace, Propoganda & The Promised Land
As well as these articles:
- Oppose Israeli Terror: Support the Palestinians
- A war to crush the Palestinians
The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance... It is the illusion of knowledge... - Stephen Hawking
Comments
1 - 8 of 8
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This hits really hard. You have a fluid, vivid and realistic style. You captured and expressed emotion very effectively. I doubt anyone could say they weren't touched after a reading. Your sincerity is admirable.
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Fantastic
This is an amazing piece of writing, i really enjoyed reading it. Well done.
Some really good use of vocabulary used too.
beginning: 5, language: 4, plot: 3, ending: 5, dialog: 3, characters: 3.
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THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I've been struggling with my jewish friend about how to explain to her and we've both been tearing through our relationship. I sent this to her today.
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This short piece illustrates fully what many Palestinians go through every day - the fear, the entrapment by those around them. For many of them, war is the only life they've ever known.
I fully agree with you with your AN -- this is one ugly sore on the reputation of the world's nations, who do nothing and stand idly by ...
The short story itself is powerful in conveying its intended themes and emotions. I found the interspersion of the Islamic prayer (Was that it?) in between the narration very effective too ... The pure heartlessness of that soldier just shocked me -- its probably true, but you must remember, not all soldiers agree with the war ... I mean, some of them are just following ill-conceived orders. Others, though, are sadists.
I should say, thank you for this story, which should help in engaging more readers to think about this situation.
RJ
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Conscientious objectors.
1600 Israelis refuse to serve in the military. It's not Israel's people, but the Zionist State of Israel that is to blame. -
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Very true.
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*is so not offended by your Author's notes*
I love that you put so much of the characters' emotions into this. You mentioned that human rights have been stripped, and I agree. Most writings beautify the ugly - I love that you made this as real as it really is. The harsh reality in this piece is heartbreaking because it IS based on something that IS happening right now. What have been stolen from those people, you give justice in your writing - well, this piece will shed some light on the plight of those unfortunate Palestinians.
Maybe conversations like this are better said off SW, where I know it won't be erased.. anyway, to be safe (sorry for pu-ssy-footing, but I want this comment on your story and not deleted) an analogy instead: in real life, when two people fight, a third person does not always have to step in and "mediate," because that person either screws things further, or that person chooses sides, even without intending to do so...
Saying this, it's not a generalization. Rather, an observation and my own personal opinion.
Great work. Thanks for sharing this.
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Wow...
I thought this was great. I like how you portrayed the horror and frustration of being denied your only hope of survival. The lines of the prayer were also interesting, but what do they mean if I may know? I thought the callous way the soldier just ignored the girl and her baby was kind of abhorrent but that is the way things are there. I think you captured the essence of the situation very well.
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