You Made a Fool of Death with Your Beauty

by Akwaeke Emezi

“But! I did not mean to trade war stories. Only to say, I know the particular pain of losing the one you love before your very eyes. I am sorry,”

what it was like to fall in love again after your heart had been shattered. She could feel Jonah’s presence on the mountain peak, gentle and curious.

And that’s something I’ve learned in the years since, that there are so many different types of love, so many ways someone can stay committed to you, stay in your life even if y’all aren’t together, you know? And none of these ways are more important than the other.”

Nah, the work was the only thing that mattered. The work was the only thing that could matter.

“I think you’re worried that it’s not real,” Joy offered. “But, babe, if it’s real, the distance won’t change it. You can’t stay there forever just ’cause you don’t wanna break the spell. If y’all have something, you gotta give it a chance outside the bubble.”