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WANN

we are not numbers

emerging writers from Palestine tell their stories and advocate for their human rights

Basman Derawi

  • Gaza Strip
  • Diaspora

Basman Derawi was born in Kuwait and lived there for two years before coming to Gaza. A physiotherapist for the Ministry of Health, he graduated from Al-Azhar University in 2010 and was in Egypt taking a course in physiotherapy in October 2023, and has had to remain in Egypt since then.

He thinks of writing as a remedy — a tool that can change the world and be used as resistance. He is inspired by music, movies, and people with special needs. One of his dreams as a Palestinian is to share and show Palestinians’ real faces as they struggle and work for their rights. He also loves to read, cook, and play video games and basketball.

Current as of December 2024

 

 

my work

A donkey pulling a cart loaded with corpses wrapped in shrouds.

After being beheaded

After the new year was beheaded last year / she decides to come back for this New Year’s Eve.
Basman Derawi
  • Gaza Strip
  • Diaspora
Man wearing kaffiyeh pulling Santa's sleigh filled with shroud-wrapped bodies. Santa's hat is on the ground.

The body of Santa

Some witnesses confirm they saw him / distributing presents in Ahli hospital / before the bombs destroyed it.
Basman Derawi
  • Gaza Strip
  • Diaspora
Two men sitting on a couch, with one man's arm around the other in friendship.

We will beat you next time

I look at the sky and say / A year without you is a lifetime.
Basman Derawi
  • Gaza Strip
  • Diaspora
Olives on the branch of the tree.

I was in love with October

In Octobers, /  the summer said farewell. / A shivering cold stood at the door.
Basman Derawi
  • Gaza Strip
  • Diaspora
Protesting students holding up Palestinian flags and signs.

The shape of it: a poem duet

Knowing where you are now / hearing of what your life is now /… / I reconsider the shape of my hope.
Basman Derawi
  • Gaza Strip
  • Diaspora
Bearded and bald young man in jacket.

An ode to Ouda’s vocal cords

I would never have thought / to write an ode to Ouda’s vocal cords / but here I am searching for words.
Basman Derawi
  • Gaza Strip
  • Diaspora
Soldiers cheering.

Rule, Ismylandia!

My great-great -grandfather, / times 100, / lived in London once, / he and his family.
Basman Derawi
  • Gaza Strip
  • Diaspora
A large poster leaning against a tent. The poster text says: "The genocidal Zionist regime murdered my family" and it lists 19 people.

Somewhere in paradise

Somewhere in paradise / Edward Said is saying to Mahmoud Darwish / (heavy with pride): See the students
Basman Derawi
  • Gaza Strip
  • Diaspora
A man with arms outstretched standing on a stone patio near a table with two chairs.

Essa, May 15

If it were not for the Nakba, / May 15 might be a sunny day.
Basman Derawi
  • Gaza Strip
  • Diaspora
Person crouching under airplanes.

What if?

Pages of history drip with my blood / and my grandfather’s tears / for his murdered olive tree.
Basman Derawi
  • Gaza Strip
  • Diaspora
Boy with kaffiyeh in front of storm clouds.

God calls me again

I ask God, How are you? / I am sad, of course, he says.
Basman Derawi
  • Gaza Strip
  • Diaspora
Handala by Israeli tank.

Tunnel for Hamas

The ant wishes she could build her home/ at the top of a tall tree/ so no one would mistake it / as a tunnel for Hamas.
Basman Derawi
  • Gaza Strip
  • Diaspora