we are not numbers
emerging writers from Palestine tell their stories and advocate for their human rights
Even Santa isn’t immune from Israel’s oppression.
I read in the news today
they arrested Santa.
Some people say
he has Palestinian roots.
A Palestinian needs to commit
no crime to be arrested.
Another rumor says
he crossed the Gaza border
at night without permission.
Santa claims to have a visa.
Another rumor says
he loves the wrong people.
They accuse him of being kind
to Arabs, a punishable crime.
Investigators claim they found
a toy gun,
a book on logic,
a book of history.
I wake up. It was a dream,
but I know they will not
let him through Erez gate
with such books.
