Ali loved to visit his older brother
And play with his niece
They were from a village near Jerusalem
Called Abu Dis
It was next to a big settlement
Called Ma’ale Adumim
She was twelve; he was fourteen

One morning they were playing ball
Bouncing high, the ball went over the wall

Trying to retrieve it, he went
Around and around with his play mate
Unable to climb the high wall
Ali crawled under the gate

Walking slowly in the fog
He did not see the vicious dog

An easy prey was in view
That was plain
Before he knew it he was
Agonizing in pain

Ali cried and shouted
The loudest yell
Within minutes he was placed
In a holding cell

The police was conducting
Their investigation
When they started
His interrogation

What’s your frickin’ name?
And don’t play any games
Why were you going inside?
Your place is far away on the outside

Are you a member of a terrorist organization?
Do you have a secular or religious orientation?

Who are your partners?
Are they from the city?
Or are they farmers?
Where are you
Hiding your weapons?
We only found in your pocket
A couple of lemons

After some moments
That were somber
They asked him
Are you a suicide bomber?

While blood was flowing
From his arms and hips
They shouted: talk to us
Answer, move your lips

His body was bruised
All over
He looked more drunk
Than sober

Recovering from the big shock
He sat on a cement block

I’m in pain and I was
Bitten by a vicious dog
I was only trying
To retrieve my ball
Not trying to steal or mug

They held him for a couple of weeks
And charged him with multiple counts
That grew to nine

The most serious was a conspiracy
To poison a German Sheppard by
Allowing it to bite him
For that he was ordered
To pay a big fine