Mornings in Jenin

by Susan Abulhawa

she swept the dust at the threshold until there was nothing but moonlight to sweep.

Baba’s absence since the war had grown as big as the ocean and all its fishes. As big as the sky and earth and all their birds and trees. The hurt in my heart was as big as the universe and all its planets.

Huda and Osama still loved each other with the cravings of youth and the mercies of kittens.

For if life had taught her anything, it was that healing and peace can begin only with acknowledgment of wrongs committed.