NVN Monday: WAR AT CHRISTMAS
by Sally Zakariya
The Rev. Munther Isaac in front of the Nativity scene at Evangelical Lutheran Christmas Church in Bethlehem. Using broken cement and paving stones, the Congregation placed the baby Jesus in the center of a pile of debris from a collapsed home, inspired by television images of children being pulled from the rubble, Issac says. Photo: Ayman Oghanna for NPR.
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The poinsettia sits on the bookcase in front of an old Japanese print— a battle scene that features the rising sun flag The circle of blood-red petals echoes the bursting rays of the sun Something’s going on here that isn’t much like Christmas In Bethlehem they’re observing the day, not celebrating it— not while thousands are dying in Gaza with no cease fire in sight A silent night with no bombs would be a blessing but the bombs rain down and the children cry Let us hope for a happier peaceful New Year
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Sally Zakariya’s poetry has appeared in some 100 publications and been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Her publications include All Alive Together, Something Like a Life, Muslim Wife, The Unknowable Mystery of Other People, Personal Astronomy, and When You Escape. She edited and designed a poetry anthology, Joys of the Table, and blogs at www.butdoesitrhyme.com.