Water
One of the first Hebrew songs I learned was Mayim,
It was also a round dance.
“Water, water, water, water! “ we sang, as we danced in a circle.
Patient camp counselors explained that, to a desert people,
Nothing is more precious than water.
They have an appreciation of it we can never have.
Don’t you know that the Jews made the desert bloom in Palestine when they got there?
The Palestinians weren’t doing anything with it, we were told
They were lazy, we were told.
Just some goats and sheep and olive trees.
Jews irrigated! We were so clever.
I was so ignorant as to believe them.
Now I look at the Gazans walking south, setting up tents, digging in rubble for their relatives.
All without water.
And I know they are fiercely determined.
Strong beyond my ability to measure or comprehend.
See, in these years since childhood, I have fasted a few times on a hill
Without water or food.
For one day, two days, three days.
I do not usually speak of it, but I come here to say this:
It does not take long for the lack of water to show.
In one day, I am staring at the grass and wanting to drink the dew off of it
Or crush its green shoots in my mouth for a little bit of moisture.
In two days I am dizzy and somewhat frantic; I am not a good faster.
If there is rain in the night and I have been able to open my mouth to the sky,
I may be at peace. There was one fast I felt no alarm.
But I will tell you that after two days, you wonder if you will die.
Some have heatstroke. Dehydration is not pretty , it is not easy,
And it does not take long at all to die from it. Even without starving.
My fasts were supervised.
People were checking on me.
There was liquid and food and celebration after.
There was a spiritual container.
I was protected.
I watch the videos from Gaza, I see progressive signs of dehydration.
Sunken cheeks , parched lips, a certain look about the eyes.
I hear you all arguing about bombs and ceasefires and apportioning blame.
I hear of aid being sent, including water.
And my question is, when?
There is not time left.
There is not another moment or day, to get water to the little ones and grown alike.
There will never be an erasing of the guilt of all those who died of thirst
In the time that we were arguing about words,
And universities, and political alliances.
It has already been too long.
The mouth goes dry, the kidneys start to fail, I am not a doctor,
But it does not take long.
Hurry.
Mayim.
soundandmountains 