Each one of these names had a life,
Each one of these names was a child of God:
Ammar
Ibrahim
Khaled
Dunia
Each one of these names I helped to kill.
From across the oceans
their names travelled
hundreds of names, hundreds of lives
inscribed on paper
now drenched in the light of God.
On the sanctuary of the church they rest
bathing in the light of God, Allah, Elohim.
God who doesn’t see Jews,
God, who doesn’t see Christians,
God who doesn’t see Muslims.
Their names rise up to heaven
In a whirlwind of bombs and bullets they rise,
Into the arms of mercy they climb,
Their terror is no more.
But what of the living?
What of the killers in the name of God, Allah, Elohim?
What of the killers in the name of the State?
What of the mothers whose desolation will always be?
In the name of God we kill and lame,
God is feigned in our own image and likeness.
In the name of God we bring shame to ourselves
In the name of God we trample God’s light.
Each one of these names had a life,
Each one of these names was a child of God:
Ammar
Ibrahim
Khaled
Dunia
Each one of these names I helped to kill.
Religion Is Garbage. Why Bother? 
This poem and photograph are dedicated to all those killed in the recent fighting in Gaza. My thanks to all those Jews, Christians, and Muslims who attended the “Weep for Gaza” interfaith event at Saint George’s Church,Flushing, New York, last night.
Beautiful poem.
Thank you!
I am honored to have read your poem, it is a sanctity of life, the personal identity, the self blame, the names all had lives before and I am sure after. I am not so sure you had any part of their demise,,,I wish the rest of the children will continue to have their names without being erased by an entity that does not believe in Allah-Elohim-God. I very much identified with your poem, I very much was honored for you to let me read my poem at your podium and your generosity and patience when the time of prayer for the Muslims came upon us in the vigil, you allowed them to pray, I was very touch by your gentle soul,,,I share with you my poem “Only Stones Remain”,,,I am hoping this last ceasefire will hold and no more killing of names. Farid Bitar.
Thank you Farid. It was great having you at the vigil, and thank you again for sharing your poetry and drum. By virtue of paying taxes, and knowing that my taxes help to pay for the bombs that target Gaza, I too am guilty. The least I can do is raise my voice in protest and awaken the hearts of others. We are one humanity, the Children of Abraham are all brothers and sisters! Peace!