The government of Israel recently halted all imports of fuel into the Gaza Strip, resulting in 18 hours a day or more with no power. Nights are hot and humid, with no relief. This Gazan dreams of his elusive lover—electricity!
 

Lying in his bed, no blanket,
covered only by hope,
he presses the fan switch,
sleeps and dreams of his lover
sixteen miles away,
beyond the gate at Erez*,
beyond the guard towers.

She stands at his bedside,
ephemeral and bright
in her silver dress,
her raven hair flowing.
Her breath is sweet,
like a breeze from Al-Jannah**,
cooling his face, soothing his fevered brow .

He reaches for her,
one hand grazing her slender waist,
another hand grasping her hip.
and she vanishes in his arms.

He awakens
to his familiar nightmare,
darkness and heavy air burning.

Again he closes his eyes
and she appears once more,
speaking softly and humming.
Rising, he begins to dance
and touches his lips to hers.

But she is gone in the still air.
The fan stops.
He awakens.

His hope vanishes
into the darkness,
into the heavy air,
burning against his skin.

The sound of a drone
hums overhead.

* The crossing out of Gaza into Israel.
**Heaven.