A Writing Contest HOSTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH Sweet July

Threads of Resilience: A Tale of Family Tradition

By Waeza Jagirdar

FINALIST

In the weave of my family’s past,  
A thread of resilience, steadfast,  
It’s the storytelling of Palestine,  
A heritage passed down, divine.  

From mothers to daughters, it flows,  
A symbol of our eternal souls.  
Threads of resilience, generations through,  
Defying the notion, old and new.  

Palestine, not just a place on a map,  
But a beacon in our hearts, a steadfast clap.  
My mother, my grandmother, ancestors of yore,  
Carried the torch, resilience at the core.  

As Bengalis, we know the fight,  
Occupation’s weight, a heavy plight.  
But Palestine’s struggle, our own in mirror,  
A narrative of resilience, ever clearer.  

This tradition, it shapes who I am,  
A Bengali woman, fierce and grand.  
Advocating for justice, equality’s call,  
Perseverance in adversity, standing tall.  

Through stories of Palestine, we connect,  
Roots and heritage, never forget.  
Inspiring futures, fighting for peace,  
A tradition honored, our struggles cease.  

May generations to come, continue the fight,  
For Palestine’s liberation, in the light.  
Resilience, the legacy, we pass on,  
A tradition cherished, forever strong.

Process

This poem gets its inspiration from the rich history and heritage which are common to the Palestine and Bangladesh people who both had faced bad times and shared experience characterized by resilience and solidarity in the face of trying situations. The entwinement of these two cultures’ stories symbolically became a central place exploited for me to have a deep look into themes of identity, plight, and endurance. Research about historical contexts, inner reflection, and skill in cultural storytelling were my primary tools in aiming at depiction of this interconnection.

The crisis going on in Palestine just like with other oppressed people all over the world have strong connections in the context of the interconnected world today. The struggle for independence, recurrent occupation, and the carrying on of the theme of justice are problems that affect the whole world. This activates solidarity actions around the same cause and leads the way for change.

With the globe struggling with the question of injustice, racism, animosity, this poem keeps in mind about the agility and vibrancy in the communities who share a common experience. I know how strong the narrative is in carrying the culture, building empathy, and inspiring others. This poem is a reminder that even when faced with insurmountable odds, resilience continues to assert itself, and people across the globe remain driven towards a desire for justice and liberation.