A place called Gaza
A city of the Canaanites
A city of British Palestine
A day of terror 14 May 1948
A city in a strip
A blockade
A fence
A day of terror 7 October 2023
A no-nation held hostage
A holding of no-nation hostages
A closure
A shortage of food
A shortage of water
A shortage of fuel
A shortage of electricity
A shortage of leadership
A shortage of medical supplies
A crisis
A starvation
A disease
A hermetic
A dead soldier
A dead hostage
A dead terrorist
A dead child
A place called Gaza
Critique by Alexis Ingram
The minimalist poem “A place called Gaza” offers a stark and poignant portrayal of the complexities and challenges faced by the city of Gaza. By presenting a series of concise phrases and images, the poem captures the essence of Gaza’s history, struggles, and conflicts.
The poem begins with simple statements that establish Gaza’s historical and geographical context, referring to it as both a city of the Canaanites and a city of British Palestine. This sets the stage for the subsequent exploration of Gaza’s tumultuous past and present.
Through brief mentions of specific dates associated with days of terror, such as May 14, 1948, and October 7, 2023, the poem hints at the ongoing cycle of violence and suffering endured by the people of Gaza. The repetition of the phrase “a day of terror” underscores the pervasive atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
The poem then delves into the harsh realities of life in Gaza, depicting it as a city confined within a strip, surrounded by blockade fences. The mention of shortages—of food, water, fuel, electricity, and medical supplies—paints a bleak picture of the city’s struggle for survival amidst political and humanitarian crises.
The poem also highlights the human cost of these crises, with references to dead soldiers, hostages, terrorists, and children. These stark reminders of loss and tragedy serve to humanize the poem and evoke a sense of empathy and compassion for the people caught in the crossfire of conflict.
Overall, “A place called Gaza” is a powerful and evocative minimalist poem that confronts the harsh realities of life in Gaza with raw simplicity and emotional resonance. It invites readers to reflect on the complexities of war, oppression, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Inalienable Write 
My heart aches when I learn of the many levels of grief, sorrow, and fear that beset a nation of peoples, regardless of its size nor location. This is not the beautiful world that we wish and pray for; yet in stark contrast, countless human beings around the world live with this kind of unrelenting fear of a reality they feel helpless to resolve as one. The collective sadness makes one weep in the sorrow of their reality, their pervasive existence. And what of their blessed children who neither fostered nor live in acceptance of the atmosphere of their potential demise.
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