April Author Spotlight

A Tribute

Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer was murdered by an Israeli airstrike on December 6th, 2023. After his death, his poem “If I Must Die” circulated all over the world and was translated in 40 languages.

This past week, his eldest daughter Shaimaa — for whom he wrote the poem — was murdered, along with her husband and son, by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City. Here is his original poem, as posted on our Instagram page:

His poem — which asked Shaimaa, were he to die, to fly a kite in his honor — inspired us all to move forward, to keep protesting, and to fly kites in the name of peace and freedom.

Poet Christine Mefford shared with us how his poem inspired her to keep going, even in her darkest moments, because his message gave her, and countless others, a newfound sense of purpose. In honor of Refaat, Shaimaa, protestors on university campuses all over the United States, and those under siege day after day at the hands of Israeli forces, we wanted to share Christine’s poem and tribute to Refaat, The Struggle.

The Struggle

by Christine Mefford

I thought about suicide today
"If I must die, you must live to tell my story"
I dragged myself out of bed today
"If I must die, you must live to tell my story"
I made sure I brushed my teeth today
"If I must die, you must live to tell my story"
I had at least one meal today
"If I must die, you must live to tell my story"
I forced myself to shower today
"If I must die, you must live to tell my story"
I made an effort to change my clothes today
"If I must die, you must live to tell my story"
I realized today that I must live to tell your story as well as my own.