His fear is the colour

of crushed bluestone

Her fear pulses through her,

imprinted by a mother’s desperation

His fear of insignificance

makes him state defiantly,

‘Respect me! Listen to me!

I am not a worm!’

Her fear keeps her silent,

her throat locked by love –

or the fear of losing it

His fear of Arab hatred of his Jewishness

comes from a common fear of malice,

which the Arabs in turn fear

from well-armed Israelis.

By Bob, Ian, John, Leah, Suzanne

Israel/Palestine Study Day, BKY, August 2011
Written in a workshop facilitated by Leah Thorn