New Year 2009 Poem by Jan Oskar Hansen

New Year Eve 2009

Midnight, New Year, fireworks explodes on
velvety sky. Gaza has fireworks too every day,
but they aren’t enjoying it the way we do,
standing here on the terrace of a five star hotel,
perhaps it is only three stars, drinks in hand
and idle chat. I feel wretched, wish I was drunk
but this place only severs wine and that is not
enough to drown my lack of shame.
Palestine, Europe doesn’t cry for you tonight.