A Chance Encounter A Poem Of Love Over Hate Poem by James Tipp

Beneath the London landmark of St Martins
A meeting of cartoons and reality surprised me.
Political art broke down the prejudice of either side
Showed the futility of hate in all our lives.
Then the meeting of reality, two faces undistinguishable
We are bereaved women, Palestinian and Jew you choose
Each a victim each in pain a pain so real within their eyes.
This pain had no cultural divide such idiosyncrasies irrelevant
Now they travel the same journey together challenging purists
To look in the mirror of hate and see who is staring back.


Dedicated to Robi Damelin & Seham Abu Awwad
www.FamiliesForum.co.uk


18 January 2010

This poem was written on the London underground after what was for myself and my wife a very emotional meeting with Robi & Seham challenging us to find ways become involved ourselves.