詩）ガザを愛する友へ

ガザを愛する友へ

親愛なるガザを愛する友よ
どうか　今日一日だけガザのことを想い　私の語りを聞いてほしい

ガザの友への会話は静かにゆっくりと人間らしく　話しかけてほしい
なぜなら　彼らはここ数ヶ月　ロケットや爆弾の音しか聞いていないから。

ガザの友が動物のようにむさぼり食べても　驚かないでほしい
なぜなら　彼らはここ数ヶ月間　空腹に我慢できず　木の葉や草さえ食べているから

それから友よ　彼らの体臭は気にしないでほしい
なぜなら　入浴する水がないので　身体からは遺体の血のような匂いがするから。

これもお願いだ　突然　彼らの目にランプや灯りを近づけないでほしい
なぜなら　彼らは長い間、明るい光を見ていないから

友よ　ガザの街に入って　街路樹が消えていても気にしないでほしい
なぜなら　街路樹は薪になり　体を温め　子どもたちに食事を作るために使われたから

こんなことを言うのは辛い　ガザの友人とは　今は長く話さないでほしい
なぜなら　その眼の中には　あらゆる喪失と失望が溶けこんでいるから

民主主義や国際司法の理想について　ここでは話さないでほしい
なぜなら　それこそが彼らを苦しめ　冒涜しているから

友よ　もしガザの友が理解に苦しむ行動をとっても批判しないでほしい
なぜなら　どんな人間でも　むごい経験と記憶と一体になれば　平静ではいられないから

そして友よ　どうかガザの街に入る時はその靴を脱いでほしい
なぜなら　ガザのすべての土には　愛する人の血が混ざっているのだから

北村記世実「ガザの友人からの手紙」より

ONLY 1 SIDE IS KILLING BABIES

Dear friends who love Gaza
Please, for this one day, think of Gaza and listen to my story.

I ask that you speak to my friends in Gaza quietly, slowly, and humanely.
Because all they have heard in recent months is the sound of rockets and bombs.

Do not be surprised when my friends in Gaza devour them like animals.
Because for the last few months they can't stand the hunger and they even eat leaves and grass.

And my friends, don't worry about their body odor.
Because there is no water to bathe in, and their bodies smell like the blood of corpses.

And this, too, I beg of you, do not suddenly put lamps or lights near their eyes.
Because they have not seen bright light for a long time.

Friends, I beg you, when you enter the streets of Gaza, do not be concerned if the street trees are gone.
Because they were used for firewood, to keep you warm, to cook meals for your children.

It pains me to say this, but I hope you don't talk too long with your friends in Gaza right now.
Because in their eyes, all the loss and disappointment has melted away.

Do not talk here about the ideals of democracy and international justice.
Because that is what torments them and violates them.

Friends, if our friends in Gaza behave in ways that are difficult to understand, do not criticize them.
Because no human being can remain calm in the face of such horrific experiences and memories.

And my friends, please take off your shoes when you enter the streets of Gaza.
Because all the soil in Gaza is mixed with the blood of your loved ones.

(From "Letter from a Friend in Gaza" by Kiyomi Kitamura)