PALESTINEBy Marvin X
(Imam Maalik El Muhajir)
I am not an Arab, I am not a Jew
Abraham is not my father
Palestine is not my home
But I would fight any man
Who kicked me out of my house
To dwell in a tent
I would fight
To the ends of the earth
Someone who said to me
I want your house
Because my father lived here
Two thousand years ago
I want your land
Because my father lived here
Two thousand years ago.
Jets would not stop me
From returning to my home
Uncle Toms would not stop me
Cluster bombs would not stop me
Bullets I would defy.
No man can take the house of another
And expect to live in peace
There is no peace for thieves
There is no peace for those who murder
For myths and ancient rituals
Wail at the wall
Settle in "Judea" and "Samaria"
But fate awaits you
You will never sleep with peace
You will never walk without listening.
I shall cross the River Jordan
With Justice in my hand
I shall return to Jerusalem
And establish my house of peace,
Thus said the Lord.
Palestine was first published in Black Scholar Magazine, circa 1972. Marvin X is one of the founders of the Black Arts Movement and considered the father of Muslim American literature, along with other BAM poets inspired by the teachings of Elijah Muhammad and Malcolm X, such as Askia Toure, Amiri Baraka and Sonia Sanchez. Bob Holman calls Marvin X the USA's Rumi. Ishmael Reed says he is Plato teaching on the streets of Oakland. His Academy of da Corner is at 14th and Broadway, downtown Oakland. FYI, his academy is located wherever he sets up shop from coast to coast.
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