If I Must Die

''If I Must Die'' is a poem by Palestinian poet Refaat Alareer. Written in 2011, the poem became famous following the death of its author, and has been recognized as a testament to the resilience, resistance, and humanity of the Palestinian people during the Gaza genocide. It has been analyzed in academic, journalistic, and cultural contexts for its evocative imagery and its symbolic challenge to narratives of occupation and marginalization.

It has been described as one of the most widely known poems of the 21st century.

Background and Authorship

Refaat Alareer was a professor of English literature at the Islamic University of Gaza and co-founder of the ''We Are Not Numbers'' project, which amplified the voices of young Palestinian writers. Alareer began writing poetry in English in response to the Gaza War (2008–2009), seeking to directly address an international audience without the barrier of translation; Alareer believed Palestinians must "speak for themselves" in the language of global discourse to counteract dominant narratives about their struggle.

The poem gained widespread attention after Alareer was killed in an Israeli airstrike on December 6, 2023. In 2024, OR Books posthumously published ''If I Must Die: Poetry and Prose'', a collection of Alareer's writings.

Description

The poem opens with:

If I must die,

you must live

to tell my story

to sell my things

to buy a piece of cloth

and some strings...

Through minimalist structure and poignant diction, the speaker imagines death not as an end but as a generative act. The final image—a child watching a kite made from the speaker’s belongings—suggests remembrance and continuity.

The poem portrays death as a form of resistance. It aligns with Palestinian traditions of sumud.

Symbolism and Imagery

Alareer employs culturally resonant symbols, such as the kite, blood, and the olive tree. These convey deep-rooted connection to homeland and the emotional toll of conflict. Under the lens of Symbolic Interactionism, the poem constructs shared meanings of sacrifice and resistance rooted in the Palestinian experience.

The poem's solemn tone, short lines, and rhythmic pacing reinforce its emotional intensity. The use of direct, unembellished language enhances the gravity of its themes. According to Salih Altoma, Alareer’s choice to write in English reflects a deliberate effort to address international audiences directly.

Reception, Impact and Legacy

Following Alareer’s death, ''"If I Must Die"'' went viral, viewed over 33 million times on Twitter alone and translated into more than 100 languages. The poem has been publicly read at vigils, protests, and artistic gatherings around the world.

The poem is considered a notable example of decolonial literature, resonating beyond the context of Gaza and contributing to transnational dialogues on resistance and injustice.

The poem is considered both a literary work and as a cultural artifact of resistance. It encapsulates the grief, defiance, and enduring hope of a people under siege. The poem continues to influence global conversations on justice, memory, and the power of storytelling.

Assistant Professor Amanda Joyce Hall notes a connection with the 1919 poem If We Must Die.

It has been described as one of the most widely known poems of the 21st century.

Bibliography

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References

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Palestinian literature
2010s poems