A typical list of what Israel banned from entering Gaza included musical instruments. While Olivier Messiaen gave us words and music to reflect on his concentration camp experience, Refaat Alareer could only give us his words. In any case, here are both:
“If I Must Die”
By Refaat Alareer
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.
Music: Quatuor pour la fin du temps: VIII. "Louange à l'Immortalité de Jésus"