I used to recite poems when I was a child. It used to be my favourite hobby. I loved reading Mahmoud Darwish and Ghassan Kanafani growing up even though some of their words were too hard to comprehend for a young girl at that age. My mother used to read me books when I was in her womb. She tells me « that’s why you grew up to like reading, I read for you before you were even born. My parents made sure I kept reading and kept buying me books as gifts every month. Those books changed who I am, those books were my only escape from the constant aggressions and blockade in Gaza. I read a lot about my home Palestine. A lot of poetry, fiction books, history novels, children books and all types of literature on Palestine. Every book I read I felt closer to liberation. I felt closer to a free Palestine. I grew up reciting this poem but today I’m reciting it as it’s the reality of my people. I am reciting it and my heart is shattering with every single word. I understood it more than ever. I kne...