Hanan Ashrawi (Francis A. Boyle)

Francis A. Boyle is an attorney and a professor of international law.  He's also the author of many books including, most recently, United Ireland, Human Rights and International Law.  This is a poem he's written about Palestinian activist and politician Hanan Ashrawi.  This is Boyle's poem and he retains all rights to it.

Hanan Ashrawi

Fall 1991

There we were

At the Grand Hotel

Supposed to be negotiating peace

 

When Hanan got word

That the Israelis were expelling

Women and children

From their homes in Silwan

During the pouring rain

You could watch it on CNN

 

So Hanan called a press conference

Down in the lobby

I marched down with her

The klieg lights were on

The jackals were there

It was Hanan against them

With a young female aide

 

As Hanan spoke

And the jackals pounced

She fought most valiantly

For Palestine

 

Then embraced her young aide

A tear fell from her eye

Madonna with Child.

 

Fab

 

 

Francis A. Boyle

Law Building

504 E. Pennsylvania Ave.

Champaign, IL 61820 USA

francis a. boyle