You won’t find me in the pin on your chest,
Nor amidst your flags fluttering in the streets.
I escaped the dark abyss long ago.
Now, I wander in the desert all alone,
Through scorching noons and frigid nights,
Escaping the curse that has befallen us,
Telling our stories to winds that fall on deaf ears,
Asking questions to the mountains, met with silent stares,
Standing on a crossroad leading nowhere.
About the Poem
This poem explores the absent peace in the ongoing existential crisis of Israel and Palestine.
About the Author
Kalpna Singh-Chitnis is an Indian-American poet, writer, filmmaker, and author of six collections, including “Love Letters to Ukraine from Uyava” (River Paw Press), a finalist for the 2023 International Book Awards presented by the American Book Fest, and “Trespassing My Ancestral Lands,” forthcoming from Finishing Line Press. Her works have been featured in notable journals worldwide. She has received a nomination for the Pushcart Prize. Poems from her award-winning book “Bare Soul” and her poetry film “River of Songs” are set to travel to the moon with NASA missions. A former Political Science lecturer, she’s also an Advocacy Member at the United Nations Association of the USA. Visit www.kalpnasinghchitnis.com for more.