Only in Gaza;
You sleep counting rockets rather than stars.
You wake up, if you wake up, to the sounds of bombs rather than birds.
Only in Gaza;
You sleep not knowing if, or how, you’ll wake up.
In Gaza,
You sleep in your house,
And you wake up under the rubble.
In Gaza,
You sleep with your body parts whole,
And you wake up missing a hand or a leg.
In Gaza,
You sleep beside family and friends,
And the next day you are on your own.
Only in Gaza;
People celebrate birthdays while war echoes in the background, then welcome you into a tent with warm hands and a cup of tea.
Only in Gaza;
Despite the pain,
People remain.
Not just survivors,
But warriors.