Politics Makes Nothing (New) Happen

"'. . . He who can write now, let him write now! And he who can write later, let him write later! And if you'll permit me to say what I think - without accusing anybody - I say the wounded, the thirsty, and those in search of water, bread, or shelter are not asking for poetry. And the fighters pay no heed to your lyrics. Sing if you wish, or hold your tongue if you want: we're marginal in war. But it is within our power to offer the people other services: a twenty-liter can of water is worth the Valley of Genius itself. . . .'

". . . The political conception of poetry has become confused with the notion of event, regardless of historical context."

- Mahmoud Darwish, Memory for Forgetfulness, trans. Ibrahim Muhawi