CPTnet
9 September 2006

HEBRON POEM: School Patrol

by Char Smith

Up at 6 out the door by 7

Through the old city of Hebron

Going through two military check points to get out to Shuhada Street

Shuhada Street where only Israelis can travel.

Soldiers

all young men,

some friendly,

some brash,

some indifferent,

some looking scared.

All carrying guns.

Will they let the children come out of their back doors and cross the
street?

Yes! The soldiers, with their guns

are letting the children come from their homes and cross the street,

Girls and boys of all ages,

but mostly little ones

most of them wearing uniforms,

most of them wearing back packs.

As I walk, the school patrol route it is just like watching the children
back home.

Some skipping and smiling,

some dragging their feet.

And even a dad coming out to give his little boy his forgotten backpack.

Toward the end of my school patrol as I was walking toward Shuhada Street,

I saw a mother on a balcony,

                       I heard footsteps coming down the stairs.

A little girl about 5 years old came down and looked both ways before
crossing the street, brave and upright as if the soldiers with their guns
weren't even there.

I looked up to see her mother watching her go to school.

My heart was in my throat!

I recalled my own children's first day of school.

How would I have felt in Hebron?

How would my own children have felt?