Day 1,037

from a photograph

On the rubble of what was known
as the Italian Tower
in Gaza City, an artist
has painted the portrait
of Dr Hussam Abu Safiya.
The wall nearly toppled.
Cracks in the concrete
his face
looks out from. One
lengthy crack
diagonally across
his neck, as though
the bomb that hit the tower
deliberately hit the portrait
to make it look
like he’s being strangled.
The doctor himself — his
portrait —
has become part
of the rubble: his eyes
stare darkly from the broken
wall, taking in
everything that has happened.
Everything that has not
stopped happening.