Mosab Abu Toha found himself in a difficult situation this time last year, waiting in a queue at a checkpoint with his wife and three young children, ready to leave Gaza. He was unexpectedly singled out, ordered to strip naked, blindfolded, and mistreated by Israeli soldiers before being released with an apology. Abu Toha, a poet and founder of Gaza’s first English-language library, has since been sharing his experiences through essays and poetry, detailing the challenges faced by Palestinians.
Despite the hardships he has endured, Abu Toha has been on a book tour for his second volume of poems, sharing his work with audiences in various cities. He speaks passionately about his writing and the stories behind his poems, shedding light on the struggles of his people. His poetry often reflects on the simple joys of life amidst the chaos and destruction, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit.
Born in a refugee camp and later moving to a border town in Gaza, Abu Toha credits his upbringing for sparking his creativity. His connection to the land, the plants, and the sun inspired his poetry, even as he faced adversity. Despite the challenges he has faced, Abu Toha remains dedicated to sharing his art and the stories of his homeland with the world.
„My children observed the olive and lemon trees belonging to our neighbor. Blossoms, puppies, a mother nursing her child; ‚rain nourishes the tales that rest on the ancient, tiled floor,‘ as described in Forest of Noise – yet, in Gaza, there is also ‚the drone [that] oversees everything.‘
He now states, „The poems address what the news neglects to capture.“ The news may mention names or locations where bombings occurred, but it fails to share the stories of those who lost their lives. Palestinian culture emphasizes community, with people bringing food after a death or for a wedding, residing in multi-generational households. In the camps, where narrow alleys restrict movement, this is accentuated. Since October 7th, this has become even more pronounced due to people seeking refuge with other families during Israeli invasions.
He recounts a tragic incident where thirty-one members of his uncle’s family perished in a single airstrike, leaving only two babies and their mother alive. Recently, his aunt’s house came under siege, resulting in the loss of a seven-year-old child and several others still trapped under the rubble. The constant threat of violence is a source of anxiety, especially since they received news of 25 family members being killed while on a train from New York City to Syracuse.
He emphasizes his deep connection to his community, being able to name residents in each house and their children’s schools. He studied English poetry at the Islamic University of Gaza, inspired by the Romantics. The loss he and his community face is collective, affecting everyone in profound ways.
He reveals the devastating impact of airstrikes and the lack of emergency services in Gaza. Neighbors now dig through rubble with their bare hands, and Abu Toha receives desperate pleas for help in transporting the injured. The poetry reflects a sense of confinement and loss, mirroring his own experiences growing up in Gaza.
He reflects on his childhood, marred by violence and tragedy, leading him and his wife to make the difficult decision to leave for the sake of their children’s safety and well-being. In a place where nearly half the population is under 18, the acronym WCNSR (Wounded Child, No Surviving Relatives) has become tragically common.“ However, he was not looking for firewood and cardboard boxes to assist his mother and me with baking or cooking food. In „My Son Throws a Blanket Over My Daughter,“ he recounts the story of his then-five-year-old son trying to shield his four-year-old daughter from the sound of bombs falling. „You can hide now,“ he reassures her.
The Romantics were admired for their ability to expand space. „I wandered lonely as a cloud“ is a line that has stayed with him, providing another world to contemplate and inhabit. His latest book features a quote from Audre Lorde, „Poetry is not a luxury,“ prompting the question of its significance. Contrary to expectations, he views poetry as a form of witness and reportage, not a luxury, but a necessity to convey the atrocities and prevent their recurrence.
One of his poems, „The Moon,“ portrays a grim scene of a young girl and her father lying dead on the ground, with a hungry cat nearby. He recalls a recent video from his city showing two cats feeding on a corpse left on the street. Poetry, to him, is about articulating the truth in the best possible way, in the most timely manner.
He shares his poetry on Instagram, following the footsteps of his late friend Refaat Alareer. The poems serve as memorials, capturing the losses and traumas endured by his community. The fear of forgetting and the constant cycle of tragedy haunts him, as he witnesses the daily struggles for survival in Gaza.
He reflects on the generational legacy of conflict and displacement, wondering how his children will remember the wars that have defined their lives. The ongoing violence and political divisions have left the people of Gaza feeling abandoned by the world, denied basic rights and recognition.
In the face of adversity, he finds solace in his family, even as they endure the hardships of living in a war-torn region. The anger and despair of the people of Gaza are palpable, as they struggle to survive amidst political turmoil and international indifference. Despite the challenges, he remains resilient, drawing strength from his loved ones and his poetry. „Vielleicht hat sie heute geboren? Ich weiß nicht, ob sie Zugang zu irgendwelche Krankenwagen oder Krankenhäuser hatte, usw. Aber ich, als Mensch, ich fühle mich wie ich auf der Flucht bin. Ich renne einfach, renne. Lesen und übersetzen und posten und Lesungen geben und mit Leuten reden und Interviews geben. Ich kann nicht aufhören, denn wenn ich aufhören würde, würde ich fallen.“ Wald des Lärms wird von Fourth Estate (£10.99) veröffentlicht. Um den Guardian und Observer zu unterstützen, kaufen Sie Ihr Exemplar unter bookshop.theguardian.com. P&P Gebühren können anfallen.