ahmad had those
 wildly intense
 eyes that
 would stare through you
 as he spoke and
 would light up
 every now and then
 as he listened and
 would drive me crazy
 what
 does he want from me?

i remember ahmad
 when
 he returned from prison
 to ya‘bad
 and his grandmother
 ululated in jubilation
 danced in happiness
 served coffee to share
 her happiness

and it was ahmad
 who took me around the village
 when i came on
 mundane visit
 to see all houses
 demolished or sealed
 in town
 recording a history
 of occupation

human rights work
 is nice
 when you have time to spare

and now
 ahmad’s eyes speak no more
 nor listen
 their words were far too strong
 the message uncompromising:
 freedom for Palestine
 now

on october 8 of 1988
 the army came to ya‘bad
 and took
 a single shot

at ahmad