Jeje on the Beach of Gaza
                     -for Wajiha

Israel fears me
because I am.
The world fears me
because I am woman.
 
You fear my lithe body.
You fear my limber mind.
You fear my fierce heart.
You fear the fire in my eyes.
 
Let me walk the beach as myself,
without the burden of your fear.
Dare to say you let me.
Just watch me
 
wear only seaweed,
hang gull feathers in my hair,
crown myself with shells,
hold a driftwood sceptre,
 
hold a conch to my mouth
and talk back to the sea,
deep speaking to deep,
power singing to power.
 
Now watch me take my act
down your high halls,
into your pillared chambers
to the head of your table.
 
Just you watch me
 
kick sand seaward,
kick sand shoreward,
kick sand in your face,
oh my ruler, my love.