To Begin Again (Shalom Aleynu) Poem by Frank Bana

I told you back in 74
You had better get out of your neighbour's yard
And in the course of 35 more years
Of beatings and squattings
Blocked tunnels and talks
You have poisoned his wells
Uprooted his olive trees
And he still lives next door
Steeped in hostility

You say you had no choice
Either his neck or your's
There's no way out
But your boot on his throat
Pressed there for so long
That you froze in the pose
No new ideas? In so many years?
A shame for one as smart as you
So let me offer one or two

Learn his language, he sure knows your's
Study his story. Everyone knows your's
Repay your debts across the fence
With technology and respect
Pray hard for his pardon, and now don't forget
You must give up quite a lot, if this you hope to get.

Long after our children had lived and died
Peace came to Israel, to Palestine
Peace ran through the hearts of men
Sprang from women, jumped over the hedges
That grew where walls and fences stood.
Don't ask me who or how or when.
There is only one fact known:
We all resolved to begin again.