My First Letter

 

During the 1967 war, I was only seven when we were forced to leave Palestine in search of safety, thinking that it’s only a matter of weeks before we could go back home. We were denied that right ever since.

As a refugee in Jordan I wrote this letter to my auntie who stayed behind in Palestine.  However, she never received it.  When I saw her 37 years later, I read the letter to her face to face.

Dearest Auntie Intisar,

I have been waiting

For many, many days

Many, many weeks

To come back home

And see you

Give you a big hug

I miss you so

I miss my bedtime stories

You used to tell me

Ali Baba, wishater Hassan

I miss your warm and gentle hand

Stroking through my hair

Till I fall asleep

I tried to come with my mum

And cross the boarders

Many times

“They” wouldn’t let us through

If I’d known

That this is what they’d do

I would never ever have left Palestine

But don’t worry auntie

Because I have a plan

When I grow up

I’ll go to university

I’ll study magic

And I’ll become a fairy

I’ll turn all the soldiers into little ants

Harmless, tiny and peaceful

They’ll go away

And Leave us alone

We’ll cross the boarders

And be together again

In our homeland

Palestine

Love, hugs and kisses

Your niece

Nahida

  ♥ ♥ ♥