“...We never set eyes on Fatima or our dog or the city we had known ever again. Like a body prematurely buried, unmourned withpot coffin or ceremony, our hasty untidy exit from Jerusalem was no way to have said goodbye to our home, our country and all that we knew and loved.”
Explore This Quote Further
Analysis of Quote from Ghada Karmi
In this poignant quote from Ghada Karmi's memoir, she reflects on the sudden and abrupt departure from her home in Jerusalem, leaving behind everything familiar and loved. The analogy of a body prematurely buried without proper mourning or ceremony emphasizes the lack of closure and the profound sorrow that accompanies their forced exodus.
By comparing their sudden departure to a body prematurely buried, Karmi conveys the sense of loss and trauma experienced by her family. The absence of a proper farewell to their home, country, and loved ones amplifies the pain of leaving everything behind in such a sudden and chaotic manner. The use of vivid imagery, such as the reference to their "hasty untidy exit," effectively captures the emotional turmoil and disarray that marked their departure, resonating with readers on a deeply human level. This quote serves as a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of displacement and the poignant longing for home and belonging.
Modern Relevance:
The poignant words of Ghada Karmi, reflecting on the forced departure from her home in Jerusalem, still resonate in today's world. The feeling of displacement, loss, and a lack of closure is unfortunately a common experience for many individuals and communities who have been uprooted from their homes due to conflict, political turmoil, or other reasons. The lasting impact of such traumatic events continues to shape the lives of refugees and displaced persons around the globe.
Personal Loss and Displacement
"“...We never set eyes on Fatima or our dog or the city we had known ever again. Like a body prematurely buried, unmourned withpot coffin or ceremony, our hasty untidy exit from Jerusalem was no way to have said goodbye to our home, our country and all that we knew and loved.” - Ghada Karmi"
Reflection Questions:
As you think about the powerful words of Ghada Karmi in her quote, consider the following reflection questions:
How do you think forced displacement impacts one's sense of identity and belonging?
In what ways does the abrupt departure described by Karmi resonate with experiences of loss or separation in your own life?
Why is saying goodbye important in the process of moving on from a place or situation?
How can we honor and remember the places and people we have lost, even when we are unable to return to them physically?
What do you believe is the significance of finding closure and resolution in moments of transition and change?
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“What was unspoken between us, what need never be explained or said, was that nobody would ever love us again like our mothers did. Yes, we would be loved, by our fathers, our friends, our siblings, our aunts and uncles and grandparents and spouses--and our children if we chose to have them--but never would we experience that kind of unconditional, nothing-you-can-do-will-turn-me-away-from-you kind of mother love.”
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“Nor can we see the coffin of a person we have known, without experiencing some new shock of loss. In this respect, a coffin is like a mirror, in which we see the image of our own condition, and understand that our human differences, whether of appearance, morality or wealth, must finally be reconciled.”
“We bury things so deep we no longer remember there was anything to bury. Our bodies remember. Our neurotic states remember. But we don't.”