Saturday, January 10, 2015

Hanan Ashrawi (Francis A. Boyle)

Francis A. Boyle is an attorney and a professor of international law.  He's also the author of many books including, most recently, United Ireland, Human Rights and International Law.  This is a poem he's written about Palestinian activist and politician Hanan Ashrawi.  This is Boyle's poem and he retains all rights to it.




Hanan Ashrawi

Fall 1991
There we were
At the Grand Hotel
Supposed to be negotiating peace
 
When Hanan got word
That the Israelis were expelling
Women and children
From their homes in Silwan
During the pouring rain
You could watch it on CNN
 
So Hanan called a press conference
Down in the lobby
I marched down with her
The klieg lights were on
The jackals were there
It was Hanan against them
With a young female aide
 
As Hanan spoke
And the jackals pounced
She fought most valiantly
For Palestine
 
Then embraced her young aide
A tear fell from her eye
Madonna with Child.
 
Fab
 
 
Francis A. Boyle
Law Building
504 E. Pennsylvania Ave.

Champaign, IL 61820 USA