Prior to the formation of the Palestinian Authority in 1994, displaying the national flag was illegal. However, its colors appeared everywhere in the cut watermelons that vendors sold by the side of the road
Picture a woman at work in a flag factory
remnants of red, green, and black fabric
unfurl as islands, torn heartlands at her feet.
Picture a Palestinian woman: stitching up the palm
of an open hand, the inside of a small boy’s
chewing-gum cheek, as the tanks roll forward
into staid positions, flattened bodies
flare as heartscapes, lost islands,
an archipelago at our feet. Picture an American
woman, a caterpillar, an open hand, a young man’s
chewing gum cheek as the seamstress works
extra hours, fabric the color of bodies, cut
watermelons at her nation’s feet. Split seeds
fill her palms, seeds for his lemon trees.
Picture a Palestinian caught in the camera, her gaze
flares up, overwrought, ready for release
like a caterpillar. Fragments—fruits and seeds—the old
positions. A boy’s small body, a father. Everyone
sees. The woman opens her hands
a chrysalis turns the other chewing gum cheek.
Colors, fabric, she. The inside of a seed
is a heartland. Picture a woman.