Rifqa

Rifqa by Mohammed El-Kurd is a lyrical, intense, raw, honest book of poetry. The beauty of Rifqa, El-Kurd's grandmother, shines through in his detailing of her resilience juxtaposed with her tenderness. El-Kurd made me miss my own grandmothers through poetry that shines a light on the humanity within each of us that connects us in some way even when we think connection is unimaginable. I saw Rifqa's struggle and El-Kurd's struggle through his words but even more so I saw the beauty of Palestine through both their eyes. The longing for home and the need for connection weaves throughout his poems exposing the occupier through the eyes of the occupied. The use of the Arabic language dotted throughout the book looks beautiful on the page show more and had me reaching out to my husband for translation enhancing the experience. Rifqa reminded me how the arts can bring us closer to understanding each other in ways that are revolutionary and inspirational. show less

I don't really read that much poetry, but I attended a virtual event where I heard Mohammed El-Kurd speak and recite a few poems, and it was very moving. When I saw that he had published a collection of poems, I added it to my list right away. It's also been the first poetry collection to really resonate with me and feel accessible (for the most part).

"Here, every footstep is a grave."

Through these poems, Mohammed El-Kurd talks about his experience in Sheikh Jarrah, a neighborhood in Jerusalem where Palestinian refugees live under harsh occupation by Israel. The book is named after and dedicated to his grandmother, who fled her home during the Nakba, and whose own poetry and strength influenced and inspired him.

These aren't homes you show more can try to read all at once. Or, at least they weren't for me. I had to keep taking breaks between them, reading something else. They're so impactful, powerful, and devastating.

"No matter how deep it drowns,
the truth always washes ashore."

The ones that stood out for me personally were: "Rifqa," "Things I Cannot Say," "Kroger," and "Lice." show less