The Pearl that Broke Its Shell

by Nadia Hashimi

But parts of Afghanistan were taken—little by little until its borders shrank in like a wool sweater left in the rain.

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

The person who doesn’t appreciate the apple doesn’t appreciate the orchard.

“The human spirit, you know what they say about the human spirit? It is harder than a rock and more delicate than a flower petal.”

In an ant colony, dew is a flood.”

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.

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.