Faris Odeh (December 1985 - November 9, 2000) was a Palestinian boy shot dead by the Israel Defense Forces near the Karni crossing in the Gaza Strip while throwing stones in the second month of the Al-Aqsa Intifada. This is a picture of Odeh standing alone in front a tank, with a stone in his hand and arm bent back to throw. It was taken by a photojournalist from the Associated Press on October 29, 2000. Ten days later, on November 9, Odeh was again throwing stones at Karni when he was shot in the neck by Israeli troops.  Odeh and the now famous image of him have since become symbols of Palestinian resistance to the occupation.

SONG  FOR A  PALESTINIAN CHILD

I am a Palestinian child. I am a Palestinian child.
People think, I am meek and mild.
I  was  born in the midst of fire,
Coffin on the body is my attire;
I can face everything, dark and dire,
The time fails to sink me in its mire.
 
I am a Palestinian child. I am a Palestinian child.
People think, I am meek and mild.
Always ready for  bullets is my chest,
The bombs can never dampen my zest;
My blood is meant for my country's best,
Only in the grave, I shall take my rest.

I am a Palestinian child. I am a Palestinian child
People think, I am meek and mild.
I aspire  for  peace , have love for  all,
I want to demolish the religion's wall;
When the world is  weeping on my fall,
I must  also try to rise  high and tall.

I am a Palestinian child. I am a Palestinian child
People think, I am meek and mild.
Playing with death, is my ordinary game,
For me , earth and sky are all the same;
I am a violent  storm, no power can tame,
My enemy will suffer a lasting shame.

I am a Palestinian child. I am a Palestinian child .
People think, I am meek and mild.
Desire for freedom makes me wild,
I am a Palestinian child. I am a Palestinian child.

(Submitted by Axis of Logic correspondent, Salamat Adib S. Kawar, Lebanon, who also translated this poem into Arabic.)

© Copyright 2009 by AxisofLogic.com