Delta Flight 008 ATL--> DXB

Photo credit: Farhad Shadravan

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arabic letters traced my naked collar bone

clinging to a history i feel unworthy to bear.

i assumed her veiled temple looked on with judgement--

i dressed my american half exposed.

she dusted her son's dress suit. 

he stood straight like a so(u)ldier. trained. eyes wide conscious,

that while other boys whined- their suitcases too heavy to hold, 

he would carry the fear of every arab man in american airport on his back. 

he smiled like he meant it.

like he didnt notice their stares. 

or have to use a bathroom as his prayer room that morning. 

like their weren't bombs weeping in his heart 

each time someone saw suicide on his child-sized suit.  

i assumed her veiled temple looked on with judgement--

until our eyes met in loving obligation

i remembered each day in awe we watch the same sun rise and set.

she wondered what rivers my blood had run through to get here, 

i wondered at hers. 

"what are you going to be?" she asked

"a doctor, I hope." 

"that's what I was going to be" 

through a black silk window her saffron eyes smiled bright.