Yesterday my wife and I visited St Martins in the Field and saw the ‘Cartoons in Conflict’ exhibition and encountered Robi and Seham.It was for both my wife and myself  and incredible  and emotional experience.  I have written the following two poems which I would be most grateful if they could be passed on to them both and we would like more information as to how we can support and promote your organisation.  We are both former priest who have left the church I am retired and my wife work as a Victim Liaison Officer in Kent. I shall be posting the poems on my website Poemhunter.com which is read around the world and hopefully others will read of your work and its inspiring nature.

Yours  James & Elaine Tipp.

“What is the difference?” they asked

The tears in both their eyes were warm and salty

What is the difference?

In the pain etched in their faces.

What is the difference?

In the life blood staining the ground.

They made a difference

By weeping together and sharing their sorrow.

www.FamiliesForum.co.uk

Dedicated to Seham Abu Awwad and Robi Damelin
 

Written on the London underground after meeting Seham Abu Awwad and Robi Damelin in St Martins in the Field  at the Cartoon Exhibition.

Jim has made one of the original poems ‘What’s the difference?’ into an art work (see picture above and click to enlarge), which will be shown in an exhibition in Whitstable Kent in March. The exhibition is alongside 15 other artist and poets and is called 759 it will be at the Horsebridge Centre for a week. 

Both sides in red  have outline of Israel and Palestine and the poems goes across both. 

A Chance Encounter

Beneath the London landmark of St Martins

A meeting of cartoons and reality surprised me.

Political art broke down the prejudice of either side

Showed the futility of hate in all our lives.

Then the meeting of reality, two faces undistinguishable

We are bereaved women, Palestinian and Jew you choose
Each a victim each in pain a pain so real within their eyes.

This pain had no cultural divide such idiosyncrasies irrelevant

Now they travel the same journey together challenging purists

To look in the mirror of hate and see who is staring back.
 

Dedicated to Robi Damelin & Seham Abu Awad

© Rev Canon James Tipp

18 January 2010

This poem was written on the London underground after what was for myself and my wife a very emotional meeting with Robi & Seham challenging us to find ways become involved ourselves.  

 
Jim wrote another poem after watching the videos from our website.

  
Be Part Of The Solution
The sea of hate is as furious and catastrophic as is possible

It has its own Tsunamis, storms and biting chilling winds.

It feeds on the disaster and pain of every breaking wave

Drowns the unsuspecting in the suddenness of the unexpected.

Within this whirlpool of destruction and anger a floating raft

Whose occupants have clambered aboard and cling together

The storm still rages, their pain still as real, yet there is calm.

They seek a solution of reconciliation, another way of pain

For peace will never come without the cost of letting go.

To empty this sea with a teaspoon an impossible task

Yet every drop removed is a step along the way to peace.

Drown in the sea if you will, but the raft beckons all

Stop being a victim and become part of the solution

No sides taken just a raft of dialogue in a sea of hate.
 

© James Tipp

Dedicated to the BFF and all its members written after watching the videos of the interviews on US TV

 
Watch Robi Damelin at St Martins in the Field.