Sunday, October 29, 2023

Our nation’s founding mothers and fathers envisioned equality and justice for all -- not just for some


 

My Letter published online (& in print) in my local paper July 2023. Their title:

Our nation’s founding mothers and fathers envisioned equality and justice for all -- not just for some

I very much appreciated your inspiring 4th of July editorial. In my opinion, our American founding fathers (and mothers) were not totally perfect, but in seeing the big picture more than 200 years later I’d much rather focus in on the gift of great hope they gave all of us.

They painstakingly established a solid foundation to build real freedom, justice and equality for what is now all people, not just a chosen few white males.

Democracy is most certainly an ongoing process and project.

In light of that, this past week it was good to see the revealing letter by Suhail Shafi “Palestinians deserve human rights, too” in our Patriot newspaper July 27. Respect for the rule of fair and just laws matters immensely, for all our sakes, and a crucial part of that equation worldwide is freedom of religion, as well as freedom from religion.

We need to set the right example with what we say and what we do: American taxpayers should not be forced to fund religious schools or Israel’s supposed Jewishness and the cruel Zionist war on the native non-Jewish men, women and children of historic Palestine.

Religion should be a personal, private choice, not a local, state or federally funded program.

Anne Selden Annab, Mechanicsburg Pa.

https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2023/07/our-nations-founding-mothers-and-fathers-envisioned-equality-and-justice-for-all-not-just-for-some-pennlive-letters.html

 

 [AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine] 

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

I agree with Daoud Kuttab’s clear headed warning

I agree with Daoud Kuttab’s clear headed warning | PennLive letters

Regarding Daoud Kuttab’s clear headed warning “When hatred replaces hope, how can there be peace in Israel?” in the Sunday March 26, 2023 news. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s expansionist map reaching far beyond the Jordan River across all of Jordan and into parts of Lebanon and Syria really should be a wake up call to American supporters and politicians.

In 1948, after the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust the world came together to create the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the “foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”

Tragically, Israel has been violating the basic human rights of the native non-Jewish people of historic Palestine since 1948 by systematically impoverishing and displacing the native non-Jewish men, women, and children of historic Palestine.

Zionism is a state-sponsored project shaping freedom, rights, jobs, investments, and housing projects for Zionist Jews. Zionism clearly inspires and rewards religious extremism on every side. This situation is insane and wrong ... and very dangerous!

We should be funding real freedom and democracy and jobs here in America, and we should be collectively investing in freedom of and from religion: Respect and compassion for all God’s children, no matter what their names.

Anne Selden Annab, Mechanicsburg Pa.

https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2023/04/i-agree-with-daoud-kuttabs-clear-headed-warning-pennlive-letters.html

Monday, January 24, 2022

My letter PUBLISHED in my local newspaper (online & in print) U.S. helps Israel violate internaitonal law

 Rev. Sandra R. Mackie is right | PennLive letters

https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2022/01/rev-sandra-r-mackie-is-right-pennlive-letters.html

Rev. Sandra R Mackie's 1-6-22 letter "Supporting a country that denies human rights is wrong"

Dear Editor,

Rev. Sandra R Mackie is right: "Supporting a country that denies human rights is wrong"(Jan 11).

This tragic situation has been escalating for decades, with American money and clout empowering Israel's long term quest to impoverish, oppress, and evict the native non-Jewish population of the "Holy Land."

Too many of our elected leaders, and too many religious leaders, have been pulling a 'Ghislaine Maxwell' in helping Israel violate international law and the Palestinians' basic human rights. 

Modern man-made "Israel" really has been brilliant with PR (and subliminal persuasion) for instance stealing its official name from many a beloved hymn and prayer, so that Christians tend to just think warm, fuzzy thoughts at the mention of its name. 

As American newspapers racket up the charge for subscriptions and more people are inspired to seek out news elsewhere, I very much hope (for every one's sake) that more Americans are able to see and understand how culpable and wrong our elected leaders have been to worship at the altar of [AIPAC] the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Sincerely,

Anne Selden Annab 

Mechanicsburg


Norman Rockwell (1894-1978), Golden Rule

Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Published letters 2014



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The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/07/11/opinion/how-to-answer-the-fears-of-a-palestinian-mother.html?ref=opinion

The Opinion Pages | Letters

How to Answer the Fears of a Palestinian Mother


To the Editor:
Re “A Mother’s Fear in East Jerusalem,” by Rula Salameh (Op-Ed, July 10), and “Religious Freedom in Peril,” by Nicholas Kristof (column, July 10):

Horrified by the hate crimes and violence generated by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Ms. Salameh condemns Israel, but she doesn’t condemn the nefarious part that Islamists are playing in perpetuating the tragic conflict.

Mr. Kristof admits that he was reluctant to write his column “because religious repression is an awkward topic when it thrives in Muslim countries.”

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is ruining many lives; it needs to end, for everyone’s sake. Big-picture, inclusive thinking is the only way out of this cruel mess.

Ending the conflict with a just and lasting peace built by two fully secular sovereign states, Israel and Palestine, both fully respecting international law and universal human rights, is the best way forward.

ANNE SELDEN ANNAB
Mechanicsburg, Pa., July 10, 2014

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The Baltimore Sun
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-israel-20140709,0,1374094.story#ixzz370OY2jif


Freedom of religion, as well as freedom from religion, is crucial to the stability of all countries. Arming religion with lethal weaponry plus public funds is a very bad idea ("A dangerous turning point in Israel," July 7).

The Israel-Palestine conflict has always been personal for the people who live there, and the momentum for making the Israel-Palestine conflict into a religious conflagration starts with the fact that Israel foolishly insists on being "a Jewish state."

Israel being "Jewish" translates into taxpayers' money and international aid generously funding Israeli policies that privilege Jews, including but not limited to Israel's illegal occupation of the West Bank and Jews-only settlement projects built on land usurped from native, non-Jewish Arab Palestinians.

These policies have created and exasperated a huge refugee crisis, with countless Palestinians pushed into poverty, forced exile and despair.

Islamist extremists have risen up to make a bad situation worse in every possible way. Were it not for the Islamists' reign of terror, many more people and governments worldwide would have much more sympathy and compassion for the Palestinians' plight.

Advocating full respect for international law and universal basic human rights to shape a secular, two-state solution with two sovereign nations living side by side in peace and security is the only way out of the mess made by the religious extremists and hatemongers on both sides.

There are many good and decent people on both sides of the Israel-Palestine conflict who deserve a chance to live and raise their children in peace and dignity. Worldwide the rule of fair and just laws is an ongoing process that requires educated, empowered and engaged citizens who are willing and able to see beyond their own personal suffering and sorrows. The best revenge is living well.

Anne Selden Annab, Mechanicsburg, Penn.


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http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-israel-asa-letter-20140215,0,2785848.story

Don't silence criticism of Israel [Letter]



I totally agree with Melani McAlister's point that the "question of how Americans should respond to the deteriorating situation in Israel and Palestine — what our government should do, what we as individuals can or should do — should be openly and freely debated" ("Maryland bills would stifle academic freedom," Feb. 12).

Already, social pressure tends to convince numerous concerned Americans to voluntarily refrain from criticizing Israel. Some stay silent because they do not want to be falsely labeled as anti-Semitic. Meanwhile, many other people, including movie stars who prefer to empower Israel and Israeli propaganda continue to be highly motivated to do so at every opportunity.

More than 60 years ago, Israel's application to membership in the United Nations clearly pointed out that Israel was directly contravening "the previous recommendations of the United Nations in at least three important respects: in its attitude on the problem of Arab refugees, on the delimitation of its territorial boundaries, and on the question of Jerusalem."
Since then, things have only gone from bad to worse. Did you know that the number of Palestinian structures (including many Palestinian homes) demolished by the Israeli authorities in the Jordan Valley more than doubled, from 192 in 2012 to 393 in 2013? Adding in American legislation to penalize the few American scholars and students who are willing to publicly discuss the very real suffering and plight of the Palestinians gives sovereign Israel even more power to oppress, persecute, disenfranchise and displace the native non-Jewish population of historic Palestine.
Islamists thrive on the continuation of the Israel-Palestine conflict, and so do anti-American hate mongers and many misinformation campaigns. It is in our best interests as a nation, and as conscientious compassionate global citizens, to seek the full and total truth about Israel and Palestine and to do all we can to support an actual end to the Israel-Palestine conflict with a just and lasting peace shaped by a fully secular, two state solution that fully respects international law and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Anne Selden Annab, Mechanicsburg, Pa.

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http://www.latimes.com/opinion/la-le-0111-saturday-israelis-palestinians-20140111,0,6299511.story#axzz2q99pO6jx

Letters: Bringing peace to the Middle East

January 11, 2014

The peace process has been tragically unsuccessful, and war in the region has produced terrible consequences. No one in the Middle East is safer, and many countries are much less stable now than before.

Multiple factors, including religious extremism and terrorism motivated by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, are likely to make this dangerous situation go from bad to worse.

Considering all that, I have to agree with the gist of your editorial, and I very much hope that more people do what they can to help make a just and lasting peace for both Israel and the Palestinians a reality.

Anne Selden Annab
Mechanicsburg, Penn.

Friday, December 20, 2013

Published letters & online comments 2013


 [AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine]
CSM

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Readers-Respond/2013/1216/Readers-Write-Democrats-didn-t-lose-to-personality-US-hypocrisy-on-Israel

US hypocrisy on Israel

Thank you for Katrina Lantos Swett's Nov. 18 commentary, "JFK was right about religious freedom's promise." True religious freedom would indeed curb sectarian strife and extremism. And yes, American diplomats and forward thinkers should be advocating for such freedom worldwide. But how will countries in the Middle East be able to hear, much less understand, that message when so many American religious, political, and business leaders praise and protect Israel as "The Jewish State" while turning a blind eye to its persecution of Palestinians and other Arabs?
Calls for US support of religious freedom will be sanctimonious hypocrisy as long as we fail to insist on real democracy and a fully secular end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in line with international law and human rights.
Anne Selden Annab
Mechanicsburg, Pa.


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New York Times

Parsing an Academic Boycott of Israel

Re “Boycott by Academic Group Is a Symbolic Sting to Israel” (front page, Dec. 16):
To the Editor:
 
You report that “the American Studies Association resolution bars official collaboration with Israeli institutions but not with Israeli scholars.” Sounds more like a partial boycott and, yes, a “symbolic sting,” as your headline has it. Israel’s ambassador to the United States claims that Israel is “the sole democracy in the Middle East.” But there is very little freedom or justice for the native non-Jewish people of historic Palestine. 

A secular two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict would go a long way toward eliminating the religious extremism, bigotry, injustice and refugee crises created by the conflict. 

ANNE SELDEN ANNAB
Mechanicsburg, Pa., Dec. 17, 2013

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USA TODAY
RE: UN secretary-general: JFK left indelible imprint on me
http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/11/22/ban-ki-moon-un-secretary-general-jfk/3639233/

comment left on website

Delighted to see UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon's inspiring op-ed "JFK left indelible imprint on me"...  In giving sincere thanks, and telling such a charming story, UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon helps elevate an important person, but more importantly he promotes magnificent ideas and ideals. 
Annie Annab


http://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2013/11/22/ban-ki-moon-un-secretary-general-jfk/3639233/

UN secretary-general: JFK left indelible imprint on me

Meeting the president as a youth led to my decision to choose a life of public service.

 
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The Patriot News
http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/11/editorial_retraction_gettysburg_address_no_one_is_perfect.html#incart_flyout_opinion

Editorial retraction about the Gettysburg address shows no one is perfect: PennLive letters

By Letters to the Editor
on November 16, 2013 at 12:18 PM 

Loved your editorial "Retraction for our 1863 editorial calling Gettysburg Address 'silly remarks'!
Hindsight certainly is 20/20. It really is totally impossible to know beyond an educated guess what speeches and stances will stand the tests of time, as well as what ideas and projects are a worthwhile investment. However we can try our best to be educated and compassionate, as well as humble, knowing that, as my brother was fond of saying when we were little: "No one is perfect."
In light of that fact, I cannot help but wish the Patriot News the best of luck, and hope that you have many, many more years ahead of publishing good, bad, and atrocious news and opinions.

ANNE SELDEN ANNAB, Mechanicsburg
 
 
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THE NEW YORKER
comment I left online RE New Yorker "Thinking Outside the Two-State Box" by Yousef Munayyer

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/09/israel-palestine-two-state-solution-counterargument.html

September 20, 2013

Thinking Outside the Two-State Box

The one state scenario is what already has been for decades... and tempting albeit short sighted one state  rhetoric (both Israeli & Palestinian) builds the box and the trap that keeps Israel and Palestine in an escalating conflict.

Now is the time for negotiations and negotiations need clear, easy to understand assessments of the situation:

Two fully secular, fully independent and secure sovereign nation states- both FULLY respecting universal basic human rights and the rule of fair and just laws, allow for a transition away from the nefarious bigotry and injustice and intransigence and grandiose delusions that have been galvanizing religious extremism and violence on both sides.

Two states, with Palestinian refugees able to return to original homes and lands in Israel, or resettle in the New Palestine, or move on and away. 

Two states, as a gateway to a future where tourists, teachers, students, workers, family members, friends, artists, poets, filmmakers, researchers, archeologists,(...etc...) will be able to travel back and forth knowing that their home and their garden and their loved ones, who ever and wherever they might be, are safe from destruction.

Two states with every citizen free to find ways to make diplomacy and compassion an every day endowment for everyone's sake.

 
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CSM

Monday, August 19, 2013

My letter PUBLISHED CSM August 19, 2013... Strengthening reasonable voices on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a good idea – but only if those voices respect universal human rights. A fully secular two-state solution is the best way forward.

[AS ALWAYS PLEASE GO TO THE LINK TO READ GOOD ARTICLES IN FULL: HELP SHAPE ALGORITHMS (and conversations) THAT EMPOWER DECENCY, DIGNITY, JUSTICE & PEACE... and hopefully Palestine]  
 
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Letters-to-the-Editor/2013/0819/Readers-Write-US-must-preserve-not-develop-Arctic-Way-forward-for-Israelis-Palestinians

Way forward for Israelis, Palestinians

Regarding Nadine Epstein's July 22 commentary, "Israelis, Palestinians need help for two-state solution": The one-state situation is what already is and has been for decades, with Israel easily able to find more excuses (and ways) to usurp more Palestinian land, liberty, and life. Making a cruel situation even worse, Islamists have been thriving on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, ensuring that Israel too often perceives Palestinians as terrorist threats rather than as real people.

Noticing and hopefully strengthening reasonable voices, as Ms. Epstein suggests is needed, is a good idea – but only if those reasonable voices firmly respect universal basic human rights. The goal must be a just and lasting peace. A fully secular two-state solution is the best way forward.

Anne Selden Annab
Mechanicsburg, Pa.
 
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The New York Times

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/29/opinion/global/a-chance-to-talk-with-iran.html
To end the Israel-Palestine conflict
 
Regarding “The two-state imperative” (Globalist, July 23) by Roger Cohen: My heart sinks when columnists toy with the topic of Israel-Palestine by insisting that Israel needs a two-state solution in order to remain Jewish. There is a much better argument, a more civilized imperative and a much more righteous as well as sensible way to build a just and lasting peace: Both Israel and Palestine need a two-state solution in order to actually end the Israel-Palestine conflict. A fully secular end to the conflict would be based on respect for international law and universal basic human rights. 

Religion should be a personal private choice as well as a cherished inheritance, not a state-sponsored project. Taxpayers here and there should not be forced to fund and empower religious scholars and schemes. 

Anne Selden Annab, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Published letters & online comments & a poem 2011+ 2012 +

Gifts of Glass ... a poem by Anne Selden Annab
Annie's New Letters & Notes
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BALTIMORE SUN
April 4, 2013
comment I posted online 4-5-2013

RE America's challenge in the Arab world: The United States must counter the anti-American 'political correctness' that is dominating public discourse in the Middle East by Ziad J. Asali of The American Task Force on Palestine
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bs-ed-arab-spring-20130404,0,5734988.story

http://discussions.baltimoresun.com/20/balnews/bs-ed-arab-spring-20130404/10?logout=true


Good to see Ziad J. Asali's probing op-ed "America's challenge in the Arab world: The United States must counter the anti-American 'political correctness' that is dominating public discourse in the Middle East "

Asali calls on all Americans to be better diplomats for our country and for our basic ideals of democracy, secularism and the balance between the rights and responsibilities of individual citizens, to name just a few important concepts that contribute to America's long term stability and success. 

Building a case for peace and progress in the Middle East that is respectful of the diversity and sensibilities of all involved is certainly quite a challenge, but it really is the best option- for everyone's sake.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab

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Washington Post 2-23-2013

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/dont-let-go-of-the-ombudsman/2013/02/22/b5a366ce-7914-11e2-9c27-fdd594ea6286_story.html

Letter to the Editor

Don’t let go of an ombudsman

Regarding Patrick Pexton’s Feb. 17 Sunday Opinion column, “The Post’s last ombudsman?”
The ombudsman’s column is one of my favorites: It is relevant, reasonable and revealing. The ombudsman has a broad overview of what has been published in the newspaper, as well as readers’ comments and complaints, and outside critics lack the resources, motivation and diplomatic grace to compare. You’ve got a good ombudsman; you should keep him.

At the arrival of modern media technology, the information age appeared to be a great gift to democracy. That landscape is rapidly changing.

Take away good content and accountability, and our smartphones and tablets and computers become very expensive gizmos with apps for everything except reliable news and noble Fourth Estate efforts to keep our government and big business honest.

Anne Selden Annab, Mechanicsburg, Pa.

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Washington Post 12-3- 2012

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/understanding-the-media-war/2012/11/28/e0259c8c-3800-11e2-9258-ac7c78d5c680_story.html

Letter to the Editor

Understanding the media war

Kudos to the Post for not only covering the news regarding Israel and Palestine, but for also providing revealing information about the media war being waged by both sides.  Paul Farhi’s Nov. 23 Style story, “Gaza photos draw bias accusations,” offered good quotes and summaries, especially this: “Complaints about bias flare with each spike in the struggle, but Hussein Ibish, a senior fellow at the Washington-based American Task Force on Palestine, isn’t convinced that either side dominates the media spin (‘the dishonesty is pretty damn even, really,’ he said), although he believes Israelis have the advantage of ‘cultural affinities’ with Western journalists — that is, ‘they speak American’ better than Palestinians.”

Anne Selden Annab, Mechanicsburg, Pa.


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My letter to Obama: Ending the Israel-Palestine conflict

congress.org

Dear President Obama,

I know that supporting Palestine destroys careers here in America, and I know that with the upcoming election you are would rather not sabotage your own chances of re-election. But please support Palestine anyway.

Let your presidency and America stand for respecting the rule of fair and just laws and policies- and fully honoring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: Palestinian Refugees (1948-NOW) are refused their right to return... and their right to live in peace free from religious bigotry and injustice.

Let your presidency and America stand for honor and dignity and decency.... let your presidency and America help end the Israel-Palestine conflict with a fully secular two state solution shaping two sovereign separate nation-states, one Israel and one Palestine.

Let your presidency and America be about electing to be real leadership setting a good example in thought, word and deed, shaping a civilized and compassionate and honest earnest conversation focused in on empowering real justice and peace for everyone's sake.

Let your presidency and America be about giving every child, regardless of supposed race or religion, the tools and the chance to achieve as much as you have achieved, so that they in turn can become good role models and mentors for coming generations: Let real democracy with real freedom, justice and equality be the foundation not only of our domestic polices but of our foreign policies too.

Sincerely,
Anne Selden Annab 
****************

CSM letters
February 27, 2012
http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Letters-to-the-Editor/2012/0227/Readers-Write-Islamists-still-dangerous-Irish-history-matters-US-needs-a-CEO-prez

Readers Write: Islamists still dangerous

Islamists still pose a risk

I very much appreciated the Feb. 20 editorial "Islamists come in from the cold." Kudos to the Arab Spring and to all the many heroic and forward-thinking Arabs who seek self-governance and dignity through peaceful means. Empowering nonviolence is crucial.


Hussein Ibish, senior research fellow at the American Task Force on Palestine, a firm advocate of a fair and just negotiated settlement to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, understands Islamists better than most, and he wisely points out the importance of "introducing inviolable constitutional principles protecting the rights of individuals, women, and minorities."

Even with that sage advice, I am quite wary about pushing the all-inclusive message too hard. Extremists and hatemongers (in addition to radical Islamists) often piggyback on real struggles for freedom, happily usurping momentum for a just cause in order to gain positive publicity, popularity, and funds for their own self-absorbed aims.

Even moderate Islamists might be a very risky investment because the potential for religious tyranny is always a very real danger, no matter which religion. Both Israel's and the Palestinians' best chance for peace is to let religion be a private matter, not a state-funded project.

Anne Selden Annab
Mechanicsburg, Pa.

****************


comment posted online CSM 10-28-2011

http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2011/1026/What-are-the-Israeli-Palestinian-peace-talk-preconditions/Palestinian-Authority-Settlement-freeze#comment-348125176

This story about preconditions on Middle East peace was
misleading- and misguided.  Israel is the one aggressively usurping
Palestinian land, demolishing Palestinian homes, uprooting Palestinian
trees and pushing more and more Palestinians into forced exile and
despair- and/or the arms of Islamists.



Furthermore Israel has been insisting that Palestinians formally and
officially dub it "Jewish", so that Israel can more easily continue to
ignore the Palestinian refugees very real right to return to original
homes and lands as  promised by the precedent set by refugee return and
reparations after the Nazi Holocaust.



Peace must be based on full respect for international law and universal
basic human rights-  a fully secular two state solution to once and for
all end the Israel/Palestine conflict is the best way forward for
everyone's sake- regardless of supposed race or religion. 



Sincerely,

Anne Selden Annab

American homemaker & poet


NOTES
http://anniesnewletters.blogsp...

Help Build A Golden Rule Peace for the Holy Land

http://anniesnewletters.blogsp...

Growing Gardens for Palestine
http://growinggardensforpalest...

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comment posted online Washington Post 10-7-2011

RE: Young Palestinian activists represent a potential new political and social force
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/west-bank-womans-struggle-for-change/2011/10/07/gIQAdlFPlM_story.html


Kudos to the Washington Post for noticing and highlighting valiant efforts by Palestinians who understand that citizens have to build a strong society from the inside: Volunteer work is not tallied up as part of any country's GDP (Gross Domestic Product), but it certainly does play a large part in how successful, stable and pleasant a community, and a country might be. 

Anne Selden Annab


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celebrating April- National Poetry Month & America's Smithsonian

http://ocean.si.edu/blog/your-ode-big-blue

Your Ode to the Big Blue

04/06/2011


....Blending
One ocean
oscillates
with a billion shores
splashed
in zillions of ways...

I walk firmly on one
wet beach
following tide lines
salt air in my curling hair
evaporating


- poem by Anne Selden Annab




Darwish & Dickinson ... a poem by Anne Selden Annab


 
 published version
January 7, 2011

Darwish & Dickinson

Mahmoud Darwish
& Emily Dickinson
side by side
on my shelves
Alphabetically
aesthetically matched
loner by loner
into a happily ever after of commingling
Poet to poet
meeting in me
Anne Selden Annab

http://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Poetry/2011/0107/Darwish-Dickinson



original version 


sent to Christian Science Monitor 6-16-2010


  Darwish & Dickinson
By Anne Selden Annab

Mahmoud Darwish
& Emily Dickinson
side by side
on my shelves
Alphabetically
aesthetically matched
loner by loner
 into a happily ever after
of commingling

Poet to poet
meeting in me

in turn in time
book by book
and page by page

libraries build character





                                                                                                    poem & photo copyright © Anne Selden Annab