Mondoweiss recognizes and values the power of poetry to help us reimagine our perceptions, ideas, and possibilities for the world.
Arabic poetry in particular comes out of an oral tradition that forged identity, communal relationships, and visions for the future. In this way, poetry has always served as a home to the abstractions that are difficult to share in other forms of language.
In addition, both poetry and poets have been an essential part of radical movements, and have opened pathways for critiquing unjust realities and systems of oppression. Poets themselves have also been journalists, physicists, engineers, policy-makers, and political leaders. Revolutionary changes and visions for the future, in Palestine and around the world, have always been documented and elucidated through poetry.
With this in mind Mondoweiss has launched a poetry section, called “BEIT.“
The name comes from the Arabic word “بيت” which means “house or home.” In Arabic, a poet is called “الشاعر” (Al-Sha’er) which- in essence- means “the one who feels,” and a poetry verse is called “بيت شعر,” or the home of the verse/rhyme.
BEIT will be under the leadership of our Senior Palestine Correspondent Mariam Barghouti with occasional guest editors who will guide the project.
Submissions Call
BEIT is not currently accepting submissions. Please check this page or email beit@mondoweiss.net for updates.
How to submit work
There are two ways to submit work for consideration. You may use the form below, or email beit@mondoweiss.net directly. Our editors will review every item submitted, though it may take several days for us to acknowledge receipt.