A City of Olive Branches (Literal and Metaphorical)
In "City of Olive Branches" by Nizar Qibbani, the poet expressed that Jerusalem is a "city of olive branches". Obviously, this has a technical, physical meaning to it, as I'm sure there are literal olive branches within the confines and outskirts of the city, providing the people of Jerusalem with a source of food and a base for other items - but of course, the phrase also reminds of us the metaphor of "extending an olive branch", which is to offer peace or reconciliation (which also has biblical origins in the book of Genesis). The author has reached out to people of all different religions during the course of the poem, "asking about Muhammed" and "begging news of Jesus". He hopes that one day, the chaos currently found within the city can be reconciled - an olive branch will be offered from one side to another.
The author is suggesting that this olive branch, this reconciliation will be extremely hard for some to put forth. A long time has passed - all the poet's 'tears have dried' and all his 'candles have melted'. He yearns for children to play again, for doves to return to the city. Even historically, we know that this is true - religions in the Jerusalem area have been fighting even before the infamous Israel/Palestine conflict as we definite it presently. It has been hard for opposite sides to see a conclusion in which compromises are made, especially as violence and destruction continue on. Olive branches are hard to extend when your children are being bombed.
This yearning seems to stand in stark contrast to the vision we witnessed in the documentary, where men, women, and children alike resided peacefully within the city, yet with the admittance of ignorance of those who were not of the same religion as them. This poem paints a much darker story with the holy city. A feeling of anger and hatred is felt - not from the author themselves, but in opposition to his pleas for forgiveness and peace. The author so desperately wants the different sides to come together, to realize that what everyone cares about, at the end of the day, is Jerusalem: everyone's most holy city.
Yet there is optimism that an "olive branch" will be extended - peace will come again, an understanding will be made, reconciliation will be offered; for this is Jerusalem, a "city of peace", a "city of olive branches". From the darkness, a light will come. It has come before, and it will come again. I am hopeful that this poet's faith will someday become a reality.
The author is suggesting that this olive branch, this reconciliation will be extremely hard for some to put forth. A long time has passed - all the poet's 'tears have dried' and all his 'candles have melted'. He yearns for children to play again, for doves to return to the city. Even historically, we know that this is true - religions in the Jerusalem area have been fighting even before the infamous Israel/Palestine conflict as we definite it presently. It has been hard for opposite sides to see a conclusion in which compromises are made, especially as violence and destruction continue on. Olive branches are hard to extend when your children are being bombed.
This yearning seems to stand in stark contrast to the vision we witnessed in the documentary, where men, women, and children alike resided peacefully within the city, yet with the admittance of ignorance of those who were not of the same religion as them. This poem paints a much darker story with the holy city. A feeling of anger and hatred is felt - not from the author themselves, but in opposition to his pleas for forgiveness and peace. The author so desperately wants the different sides to come together, to realize that what everyone cares about, at the end of the day, is Jerusalem: everyone's most holy city.
Yet there is optimism that an "olive branch" will be extended - peace will come again, an understanding will be made, reconciliation will be offered; for this is Jerusalem, a "city of peace", a "city of olive branches". From the darkness, a light will come. It has come before, and it will come again. I am hopeful that this poet's faith will someday become a reality.
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