Gaza - If I Must Die by Refaat Alareer

Renowned Palestinian writer, poet, and professor of English literature, Refaat Alareer, was killed along with six members of his family this week in an Israeli airstrike. 

If I must die by Refaat Alareer

If I must die,
you must live
to tell my story
to sell my things
to buy a piece of cloth
and some strings,
(make it white with a long tail)

so that a child, somewhere in Gaza
while looking heaven in the eye
awaiting his dad who left in a blaze–
and bid no one farewell
not even to his flesh
not even to himself–

sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up above
and thinks for a moment an angel is there
bringing back love
If I must die
let it bring hope
let it be a tale

Israeli air strikes on Gaza have killed renowned Palestinian writer, poet, and professor Refaat Alareer and six members of his family.

His students and colleagues spoke to Al Jazeera about his legacy ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/a3r9Uf3RqN

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) December 9, 2023