“Jerusalem,” Poem, Oumeima Mouelhi.

Jerusalem beats in my heart.

Jerusalem bleeds, torn in parts.

Jerusalem falls and stands

by itself, withstands,

the blows of foes,

it perfectly knows.

Come to me closer,

let me wrap you in my arms,

dry your tears with my eyes

smell you with every sunrise

the agony in me, you arise.

Heal yourself, don’t wonder

why you have to endure it all,

alone.

The gaze of the world still wanders

to the East, there is a price

to your freedom, there is a price.

Your wounds ache me.

Your screams shatter the seas,

till doomsday I love you

to your cause, never withdraw,

nor will I ever do…

Oumeima Mouelhi is a Tunisian assistant professor. She has a PhD in English literature and is a scholar of William Shakespeare. She has published a number of articles in this field. She is also a researcher and a reviewer in different journals. Being a deep passionate of verse, Oumeima writes French and English poetries alike and translates poems (including her own) from Arabic into English. Poems mirroring current issues, her life, and personal experience. Her Volume of poetry entitled, “Chapters of My Life” is a piece of her because of the many truths embedded within. The volume is made of 60 poems and each poem has its own soul and context. Currently, she is working on her French volume of poetry.

This poem is part of the upcoming “White Kites Over Gaza” anthology set to be published by North Meridian Press in 2026.