Bouncing down a West Bank road
fresh from a rally for peace
a Palestinian in the car ahead
unfurls out his window a bed sheet
flag of a state that has yet
to exist. A roadblock. An argument
you cannot hear completely, but see
in wild gestures—the soldier, an Israeli
all animation & flailing,
the driver’s right arm flailing in reply.
You approach, slow, your arms leaden
at your sides. & fear what you might—
why, the soldier’s advising on hanging
the flag so it doesn’t block the driver’s vision.
