If I counted up all the hours I’ve studied,
Gotten up and been resilient about,
Not given up on,
So believed in,
Ignored my friends advice about,
Did I mention talked about?
I’d have a PHD in him.
Esther. Named after the queen. Known to her family as Essie, Esuseh.
Esuseh, Esuseh, who swallowed Syria whole and the day she left us the sky rained desert sand the earth smelled of cumin and rosewater and our tears tasted of olive oil.
Esuseh, Esuseh, pointing to your picture strangers deny my relation to you For I stand so pale in comparison to your olive stained hue Because you Esuseh you swallowed Syria whole while I, I- was granted mere licks of her tamarind belly.