Notes from the Edge

Reflections on Faith, Justice, & Community from the Blog of Edgehill UMC

Peace in the Rubble: Advent and the Poetry of Palestine
Advent, Palestine, Poetry, Peace Eric Mayle Advent, Palestine, Poetry, Peace Eric Mayle

Peace in the Rubble: Advent and the Poetry of Palestine

For people living under real oppression, peace and enemies are not abstract ideas but everyday realities. That’s why I’m drawn to Palestinian poet Taha Muhammad Ali’s poem “Revenge.” In 21st century America, we're so far removed from the experiences of Zechariah and Elizabeth-- people living under Roman military occupation. As a Palestinian, Ali helps us to understand these realities through the experience of oppressed people….

Read More
Hope in the Rubble: Advent and the Poetry of Palestine
Advent, Palestine, Hope, Poetry Eric Mayle Advent, Palestine, Hope, Poetry Eric Mayle

Hope in the Rubble: Advent and the Poetry of Palestine

All of these things, the poet says, hope “crushe[s] beneath its wings.” We often think of hope as this beautiful, feathery thing. Emily Dickinson’s poem (which Al-Hayyat gives a nod to)  “‘Hope’ is the Thing with Feathers”, imagines hope as a bird in our soul. But Al-Hayyat’s feathered hope crushes everything beneath its wings…. 

Read More