Poem from Gaza – Here Is How We Feel by Walid Mahmoud

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Do not tell me to stay strong while I’m witnessing a difficult moment in life.

Do not tell me to stay strong while patients die because they can not travel to get medicine.

Don’t tell me to stay strong while people are kicked out of their home because they couldn’t pay the Rent.
Don’t tell me to stay strong while We can’t travel.
Don’t tell me to stay strong while there are no jobs .
Don’t tell me to stay strong while there is no electricity.
Don’t tell me to stay strong while my phone receives tens of calls asking for help and I couldn’t respond.
Don’t tell me to stay strong when a poor family calls for help and I feel helpless.
Don’t tell me to stay strong while I give away my camera to help others.
Don’t tell me to stay strong while we feel voiceless, hopeless, speechless, helpless.

Don’t tell me to stay strong while the city is under ongoing siege for over 10 years now.
Don’t tell me to stay strong while the poverty enters each home in Gaza.
Don’t tell me to stay strong while our hearts are filled by pain, sadness.
Believe me or not this place is unlivable.

Now do you know why you don’t need to tell me to stay strong?!
That’s only 1% of what’s our heart filled with here in Gaza.
Who could stay strong under such circumstances?

You and I have to think and care for others as we think of ourselves.

Poem by Walid Mahmoud, a dreamer, photographer 🇵🇸 blogger, humanitarian activist and photojournalist “coverages Gaza’s Daily life ” 📍Gaza .

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