In “Tent,” Palestinian poet and artist Asmaa Dwaima offers a brief, heartbreaking lyric that explores the unimaginable suffering of Gaza’s children as they endure the brutalities of genocide.

Tent

Asmaa Dwaima

February 1, 2025

 

Poetry

In a tent,
Two thin mats stretched
Over the rippled sand.
Two little girls chat:
“I earned more money today,”
One says,
Moving her fist in a circular motion
Over her other palm,
Teasingly.
The other promises
She’ll force her small neck
To endure the box of biscuits
For a longer time,
To withstand more hours of work.
She slowly twists her body,
With great difficulty,
To the other side
And cries…
Then she realizes…

That – for comfort – she doesn’t even have arms
To hug herself.

---

Asmaa Dwaima is a Palestinian writer, poet, artist, and dentist. After being displaced multiple times since October 2023, she currently shelters with her family in southern Gaza. Her creative work delves into themes of loss, resilience, and identity, capturing the enduring strength of the Palestinian people. She is committed to preserving their stories and humanity amid ongoing conflict.

 

 https://proteanmag.com/2025/02/01/tent/