Daughters of Smoke and Fire

by Ava Homa

So ridiculous that the battles fought by wealthy countries are called ‘World War’ and poor countries’ fights are ‘tribal war!’”

I was breathing. But I was not alive. Only no one could see that.

I knew that at least this time I hadn’t done something wrong, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I myself was an existential mistake.

How else are they going to get people to vote for them if there isn’t some ‘enemy’ out there?

I have seen a child’s birth. Cries and struggles are the first signs of life, not of weakness.