Poems on Gaza—Contemplating the Impossible & Being Steadfast in Solidarity w/ JAMAICA OSORIO

Poems on Gaza—Contemplating the Impossible & Being Steadfast in Solidarity w/ JAMAICA OSORIO

Author: Mia Funk March 19, 2026 Duration: 48:26

"I am a poet without language and an empath without root. I am overflowing in something I do not recognize... something like terror, but still not quite that."

In this episode of the Speaking Out of Place podcast, Professor David Palumbo-Liu talks with poet, activist, and scholar Jamaica Osorio. Shortly after October 7, 2023, she began to write a series of astonishing poems about the war in Gaza and the genocide. Osorio graces us with readings of some of those poems, and engages in a rich, complex, and deeply moving discussion of what went into their composition. Throughout, we talk about the power of poetry to suspend time and allow us the space to contemplate the impossible. We talk about the nature of not knowing, of the inexpressible, and the ways certain poems can give us the strength, energy, and commitment to persist in working for the liberation of all peoples, even when dwelling in grief.

Dr. Jamaica Heolimeleikalani Osorio is an Associate Professor of Indigenous and Native Hawaiian Politics at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. Her award-winning poetry and activism were the subject of the Sundance Film Festival documentary This is the Way we Rise, and she is the author of Remembering our Intimacies: Moʻolelo, Aloha ʻĀina, and Ea, published by The University of Minnesota Press. She believes in the power of aloha ʻāina and collective action to pursue liberatory, abolitionist futures.

(0:00) Intro

(2:00) The Silence After October 7, Jamaica Osorio discusses the struggle to find language and the pressure to speak out

(5:00) The Sounds of Empire in Hawaiʻi Connecting the military helicopters over Pālolo Valley to the skies of Gaza

(7:00) Reading "For Palestine"

(13:00) Lingering in the Inexpressible Why poetry must offer questions and suspensions rather than simple answers

(18:00) Taking Risks and Earning Trust The vulnerability of sharing deeply personal, grief-stricken art with the public

(24:30) Reading: "It's Time to Dance" A beautiful meditation on holding the joy of a child alongside the terror of a genocide

(29:00) Children as Ancestors and Teachers How Osorio’s daughter teaches her to be fully present in both grief and joy

(37:00) Reading: "Rafah Burns" A raw poem about parenthood, weeping with a newborn, and the global resonance of loss

(42:00) Finding Connection in the Dark The shared emotional vocabulary of crying when the world becomes incomprehensible

(44:00) ʻOnipaʻa: To Be Steadfast

(46:00) The Ungovernable Belief in a Better World Why the organizers and poets will outlast the empires that try to dominate them

Episode Website

www.palumbo-liu.com

https://speakingoutofplace.com

Bluesky @palumboliu.bsky.social

Insta @speaking_out_of_place


Hosted by Mia Funk, The Creative Process delves into the inner workings of the artistic mind. This podcast is built on intimate conversations with a remarkable range of voices-from authors and filmmakers to dancers, scientists, and activists. Each episode moves beyond the finished product to explore the life, discipline, and unique practice that shape a creator's work. You'll hear from recipients of the world's highest honors, including Oscars, Emmys, and Pulitzer Prizes, as they share unfiltered experiences and hard-won wisdom. The discussions naturally span a wide spectrum of human expression and concern, touching on books, film, theatre, and music, while also engaging with critical themes like social justice, climate change, and technology. What unites these conversations is a deep curiosity about how creativity functions not just in the studio, but as a force in culture and society. Listening feels like being a fly on the wall for a thoughtful, meandering talk where the focus is always on the person behind the craft. It’s a chance to understand how diverse thinkers navigate challenges, find inspiration, and contribute to the broader dialogue through their art and advocacy. This isn't about quick tips or superficial interviews; it's a sustained look at the motivations and methods that drive meaningful creative work across disciplines.
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