Abed Abdi, from “Dialogue with David Roberts,” (the Intifada series) 2002.
Fetter me, cripple me, imprison me
I don’t care,
Confine me, separate me, debase me,
I can bear,
Crush me, deflesh me, entomb me,
I am everywhere,
Haunting you, like a nightmare
I was, still am and will always be,
The spirit that people share,
Despite your cruelty and decree
It’s only honor I can wear
inside, outside, I never despair
If my body is hungry and unfree
Freedom is my soul’s fare
On a bus going where
If you dare
–Reattach the opening hatch