Fatima, the War Nurse

Nassefh Macla

In her clinic in the camp, she whispers

Her prayers, hoping no one had been hurt.

But when the forest hushes from the gunfire and grenades,
She hears howls of pain, Tabang! Tabang kamo!

He instruments were all set, laid on the bamboo table – scissors,

Syringe, and bandages – waiting for the wounded.

A bloodied brother in front of her came with a headwound.

Scalp grinning, slit by a bullet. And she stitches it.

The way her mother had sewn her pink abaya.

Curious eyes peeking, vision passing through amakan walls.

Veiled women outside covering their mouths

Pink, sequined veil covers her head. “ The colors relaxes

The patient,” she remembers. As she buries the needle

In the warrior’s skin once more, she recalls how an old patient

Repelled her, refused her care, for she was wearing a veil.
She had not removed her tondong.

She had turned to another patient, since then.

She gave a slight smile behind her surgical mask

When “Alhamdulillah” came out of the wounded man’s mouth.

Fatima hears gunfire go off again as she washes her hands.

She closes her eyes and waits

For the forest to be completely silent.

Understanding the Text

1. What does it mean to be a “war nurse”?

2. What does the name “Fatima” mean? What does it symbolize?
3. What does the “veil” symbolize? Why does she wear it in the color pink?
4. What are the feelings of the wounded people towards Fatima’s veil? Why is that?
5. What does the word “Alahamdulillah” mean? Why is it important to Fatima?
6. What are the hardships that a “veiled” war nurse experience?
7. How is “peace” represented n the story?
8. Is peace possible in the unrest that is happening in Mindanao? What are ways on how this is
made true?