Give Sorrow Words: A Tribute to Mama & Ameer, Whose Voices Now Ring Out From Heaven
The tragedies of Shakespeare pale in comparison to these poems out of Gaza. In a “to-be-or-not-to-be genocide,” the limits of language are severely tested and emotions reach their last breaths. Besieged, beleaguered, beset with challenges beyond description, can Gaza ever just “be?” Or is it only to know endless betrayal?
Letter to the Reader
Dear Readers,
Since literature imitates real life, I lean on writing, especially poems. In my poems I have tried to mirror the miserable reality in Gaza. I want to tell you that our martyrs are very much alive in our minds and hearts and, most importantly, in our words, just like Dr. Refaat.
They are massacred and deliberately targeted, and while they left us physically, they are alive, telling their stories. So, we are here in a to-be-or-not-to be genocide; we have already told many stories and many heartbreaking poems. Don’t choose to be blind, and don’t be misled by the fabricated narrative of Israel.
What is happening in Gaza is beyond such a poem or a story; it is beyond. And here I want to capitalize on what Kait Rokowsky said, “Nothing ever ends poetically. It ends, and we turn it into poetry. All the blood was never once beautiful; it was just red.” Therefore, my poems, and our poems are not written to romanticize our death or to feel sorry for ourselves. Don’t shed tears or offer pity—your sadness cannot undo our pain. Instead, act. Do something, even if you think it’s a simple gesture. Even the smallest action—raising your voice, sharing our truth, challenging the lies—can carry our stories further. Our words demand your deeds, no matter how small, to break the silence and fight for justice.
Sample Text and Illustrations
Request for Recognition
Gaza has been under an intellectual embargo for decades. We ask members of the literary community to lend the strength of their voices to our authors. This zine has yet to receive words of recommendation. If you are an established author willing to read and recommend this zine, email us at coastallinespress@gmail.com to receive a digital or hard copy.
About the Author
Lubna Ahmad Abu Dahrouj is a writer and poet from the Gaza Strip, where she currently resides. Proudly, she is a student of the late Dr. Refaat Alareer and carries forward his legacy through the power of words. With a deep belief in the transformative strength of writing, Lubna weaves poems and articles that amplify the voiceless, honor the martyrs, and bear witness to the resilience and struggles of her people. Her work is a testament to the enduring spirit of those who live on through the stories she tells.
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