Palestine and olive trees

an adaptation from "The Corpse Washer"

Palestine and olive trees. Who resembles whom? There are many Palestinians, and as many, or perhaps fewer, olive trees. Some have had their branches burned. Some have been cut at the roots. Some have had their backs snapped, but are still trying to stand. Some have been uprooted, mutilated, and exiled from their groves. Some have allowed invaders to lean on their trunk. Some stand in silence. Many have fallen. And the rest stand despite everything else happening in the vast grove: Palestine. When will the trees return to their owners? Not to those with axes and flames.