The Pearl that Broke Its Shell

by Nadia Hashimi

She had a gift, an ability to show you what you did not see,

Each would take turns promising to protect the borders they had just invaded, like a pedophile who professes to love his victim.

People who are beset by tragedy once and twice are sure to grieve again. Fate finds it easier to retrace its treads.

“Oh, the hell with naseeb! Naseeb is what people blame for everything they can’t fix.”

I was pretty sure everyone was praying for different things. I wondered how Allah would sort it all out.

I couldn’t say words like “marriage” or “husband” in the same sentence with my sister’s name. It sounded awkward. Like a little girl wearing her mother’s shoes.

Don’t forget that you are part flower petal and part rock too.”

There is some kiss we want with our whole lives, The touch of Spirit on the body. Seawater begs the pearl to break its shell. And the lily, how passionately it needs some wild Darling! At night, I open the window and ask the moon to come And press its face against mine. Breathe into me.

Remember, Allah has said, ‘Start moving, so I may start blessing.’”

When you don’t agree with powerful people, be prepared to lose everything.

This life is difficult. We lose fathers, brothers, mothers, songbirds and pieces of ourselves. Whips strike the innocent, honors go to the guilty, and there is too much loneliness. I would be a fool to pray for my children to escape all of that. Ask for too much and it might actually turn out worse. But I can pray for small things, like fertile fields, a mother’s love, a child’s smile—a life that’s less bitter than sweet.