Sometimes I feel as if I am read before I write. When I write a poem about my mother, Palestinians think my mother is a symbol for Palestine. But I write as a poet, and my mother is my mother. She's not a symbol.

The Palestinians are the only nation in the world that feels with certainty that today is better than what the days ahead will hold. Tomorrow always heralds a worse situation.

I never wanted children, maybe I'm afraid of responsibility.

We are captives of what we love, what we desire, and what we are.

When I passed the age of 50, I learned how to control my emotions.

And I tell myself, a moon will rise from my darkness.

I am not a lover of Israel, of course. I have no reason to be. But I don't hate Jews.