TODAY THE OLIVE LEAVES FLY AT HALF-MAST BY HASSL

Today the olive leaves fly at half-mast

Today we bicycled to Cervantes park
Far away
but my head turns to Jozi,
where our cycle lanes were closed off after being built

We stopped
Cycles locked
I wander about amongst the fragrances of rosemary and roses
After a while I take some shade under a tree

Far away
but my heart turns to home
Bishop Tutu is no more
The news struck deep as we are fast running out of the wise ones

You have to be partisan to take shade under an olive tree
This one,
is part of a family of six
lined in graceful salute to the man who has just passed

Under the olive tree
I think of Tutu and
I think of Palestine

And of those men
who are trying to kill the olive trees in the holy land
As they do, those who give them love and water

Arch
You spoke for all who face the jackboots of tyranny
And you refused to be silenced

Today as the olive leaves fly in half-mast
your words turn into poetry
That we will sip on
“It’s God catching me by my neck.
I wish I could keep quiet about the plight of the Palestinians.
I can’t!

Author
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Hassen Lorgat

Has worked in trade union movement, civic associations, and anti apartheid sports movement led by the South African Council on Sports (SACOS) as well as NGOs for the past while. He has worked with civil society groups opposing harmful and exploitative mining and extractivism. Hassen is active with the SA BDS Coalition.