Rifqa

by Mohammed El-Kurd

I cried—not for the house but for the memories I could have had inside it.

Do not reconcile even if they gift you gold. If I were to gouge out your eyes and place gems in their place would you still see? —Amal Dunqul

A woman tells him a pen is a sword. What’s a pen to a rifle? Another fed him a sonnet. If Shakespeare was from here he wouldn’t be writing.

If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed and loving the people who are doing the oppressing. —Malcolm X

Millionaires giving out charity as if it’s charity when cents don’t make a dent. We’re supposed to say thanks. They acknowledge our blood on their hands.

A few years ago, my grandmother and I watched men preach about patience on TV. Be patient! For after patience comes relief! My grandmother responded, After patience comes the grave!