"If I Must Die," A Poem by Refaat Alareer

The Arabian Traveler Poetry

A poem written by Refaat Al- Areer رفعت العرعير read by The Arabian Traveler.

Refaat Alareer, a prominent Palestinian professor, poet and writer, was killed in an airstrike in northern Gaza, on December 7.

If I must die,

you must live

to tell my story

to sell my things

to buy a piece of cloth

and some strings,

(make it white with a long tail)

so that a child, somewhere in Gaza

while looking heaven in the eye

awaiting his dad who left in a blaze—

and bid no one farewell

not even to his flesh

not even to himself—

sees the kite, my kite you made, flying up above

and thinks for a moment an angel is there

bringing back love

If I must die

let it bring hope

let it be a tale