Poetry: Refaat Alareer (1979-2023); Music: Reem Kelani
Whilst I was in hospital over Christmas and New Year, I kept on reading aloud the last poem that Refaat Alareer wrote before he was assassinated by Israel in Gaza.
The melody would not come, no matter how much I tried.
When I got back home, I sat at the piano, and the melody and chords just flowed!
We are planning to release this song in memory of the defiant people of Gaza and of Refaat, whose sister’s house was bombed while he was staying with her. Refaat was killed along with his brother, his brother’s son, his sister, and her three children. They remain under the rubble, apparently.
All proceeds will go to UNRWA to support its humanitarian relief work in Gaza.
WATCH THIS SPACE.