Clouds
by Karineh Mahdessian
I am asked to write about clouds
and all I can do is think of the bombs that missed our home
that by the grace of prayers we survived the plane rides through continents
that we arrived here safely
where now I see students who are scared of masked strangers tearing families apart.
But in this place
they are protected or at least that’s what we tell them
here, we have cloud wall papers that post job opportunities so these students can help already over-worked and under-slept parents
these students who are expected to be guardians of siblings and translator for uncles and aunts, are just children, caught up in high school gossip and sweetheart dances.
I am asked to write about clouds
and all I can do is think of Katie who earned her wings too soon,
sitting on the fluffiest cloud, with mis-matched socks, reading a book
while I am here among students letting them know their rights—that their body means their choice, that No is a complete sentence.
That one day we will all be free.
Karineh Mahdessian loves hard, reads books and eats tacos!
You can read the entire This Makes up the Sky series by visiting: https://womenwhosubmitlit.org/category/the-sky/