“A Conversation with a Woman in Palestine” by Peycho Kanev

A Conversation with a Woman in Palestine

Do you know who started the war? — I do not know.
Do you know how long it will last? — I do not know.
Why are you hiding underground? — I do not know.
Do you know how long you've been hiding there? — I do not know.
And do you know where your husband is? — I do not know.
Do you know why there are no birds in the sky? — I do not know.
Whose side are you on? — I do not know.
But in wartime you have to choose a side. — I do not know.
Do you know the president's name? — I do not know.
Are those your children under the rubble? — Yes

Peycho Kanev

Peycho Kanev is the author of 12 poetry collections and three chapbooks, published in the USA and Europe. His poems have appeared in many literary magazines, such as Rattle, Poetry Quarterly, Evergreen Review, Front Porch Review, Hawaii Review, Barrow Street, Sheepshead Review, Off the Coast, The Adirondack Review, Sierra Nevada Review, The Cleveland Review, and many others. His newest book of poetry, A Fake Memoir, was published in 2022 by Cyberwit Press.

Headshot: Mariana Petrova

Photo Credit: Staff