Published 18 December 202319 February 2024 · Poetry / Palestine All the angels in the world are heading to Gaza Ali Cobby Eckermann All the angels in the world are heading to Gaza They were alerted by the urgent increases on social media Yes angels know every message posted on the world wide web And all the angels in the world know genocide can be avoided And all the angels are confused why the world is ignoring the fact - What can be avoided must not be allowed All the angels in the world are heading to Gaza They will answer the urgency of millions of prayers The crescendo of prayers has removed all silence There is no clandestineness to this genocide There is no secrecy now; there is no hush All the angels in the world are heading to Gaza They will spread their wings till the tips touch Side by side to cover the entire fence line To pulse angelic energy to the dying children To pulse comfort to the suffering mums and dads All the angels in the world are heading to Gaza Even the devil is there at the entrance Waving the killers in. Image: Mohammed Ibrahim Ali Cobby Eckermann Ali Cobby Eckermann is a Yankunytjatjara poet and artist from South Australia whose work has been published and celebrated around the world. Her poetry collections include little bit long time and the award-winning collection Inside My Mother. Her verse novels are His Father’s Eyes and Ruby Moonlight, which won the inaugural black&write! Indigenous fellowship, the Kenneth Slessor Prize, a Deadly Award and was named the NSW Premier’s Literary Award Book of the Year. In 2013 Ali toured Ireland as Australia’s Poetry Ambassador, and in 2017 she received the Windham-Campbell Prize from Yale University.She describes herself as a dreamer, a gardener, with deep respect for her journey thus far. More by Ali Cobby Eckermann › Overland is a not-for-profit magazine with a proud history of supporting writers, and publishing ideas and voices often excluded from other places. If you like this piece, or support Overland’s work in general, please subscribe or donate. Related articles & Essays 18 September 202618 September 2026 · Poetry having a sweetie Gareth Morgan o unfathomable lack! unbelievable luck … really, you wouldn’t believe me my pollen grows in the dark my pollen reeks like bed sheets/br 1 10 September 2026 · Solidarity One year after the Bridge: Palestine, people-power and Australia’s conscience Shamikh Badra On that day, Palestine stood at the centre of one of Australia’s most recognised landmarks, and a broad and powerful public movement became visible. It was ready to defend Palestinian rights, but also something wider: the right to life, freedom from starvation and forced displacement, equality before the law, and accountability for those responsible.
