As the onslaught against civilians in Gaza continues here is a poem by writer Ali Cheema on the bombing of Gaza.
The sirens keep going off, explosions get louder, then bitter silence followed by a deafening cry
Another busy night, mayhem everywhere but get ready, all we can do is try
The chaos begins, too many are coming in, proving impossible to manage, let’s keep striving
Come on put the baby inside me, that’s my job, to settle her, to stop her from crying
At first it was an influx of people from nearby but now I’m confused, they’re attacking us
I thought we’re a hospital, surely the world won’t stand for this and will create a fuss
Not even a blink, as we dodge the bullets, and wonder can this really be real
I’m just a machine, we didn’t sign up for this, our job is to mend and heal
My brave colleagues know what’s around the corner – but still refuse to leave
Days and nights, weeks and months, no respite – not even a temporary reprieve
Doctors and nurses fighting frantically to keep people alive
Battling away doing their best, unsure if their nearest and dearest will even survive
Hold on you can’t do that, I only have space inside me for one
The poor doctor throws another baby on top – desperate the night has just begun
Oh no, he’s only taking one out, the first baby, another innocent just died
Another family incomplete, how to proceed, no comfort can we provide
Yet again I realise that I have failed in my obligation
To protect someone so young, the purest of God’s creation
I keep telling myself, consoling myself saying it’s out of my hands
They keep switching the power off, the baby’s mother understands
Zzzz, I feel the power going again, as this baby also gasps its last breaths
Surely, it’s not just the baby that dies, but the world morality that dies - many deaths.
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