The hardest part of a plant’s life is the burst of the green bud, the sprout of the stalk upward reaching the sky and downward, the roots establishing a foundation. It is this part that is my life, now. But soon, the sun will warm my face and I will sleep in my… Continue reading Untitled
Author: aicha bint yusif
Writing is my key to free spaces. I write to let things out and to chronicle some, and you're more than welcome to read them.
DOGRANADA – Short Story
In the land of Dogranada, there are many dogs. They are the official citizens of this lovely city. Perched on a hill, surrounded by luscious, green mountains and rich waterfalls that shine in the morning. Everything was normal until the Day of Honor; a day in which the council of Gods and Dogs present awards… Continue reading DOGRANADA – Short Story
Double Truth
Plato told me one day about the allegory of the cave, in which he saw the sun representing the ultimate truth. I can see why he would do that. There is only one sun. It helps us see things. It is warm. It is present all the time somewhere in the world. Sometimes it is… Continue reading Double Truth
gypsy poetry I found in Granada
Sierra Nevada mía Sierra Nevada mía, rudos barrancos; rasas al frío viento, perdidos pasos. Y el alba nieve, que en Corral de deseos se hizo perenne. Sierra Nevada mía, tus altos Picos; horizontes en púrpura, sol prometido. Blanca apareces -cual sueño de la infanca- entre vergeles. In Sierra Nevada of mine In… Continue reading gypsy poetry I found in Granada
Yunamán in Granada live
The place: Upper Albaycin, in a sheltered street around Plaza Larga, a restaurant called “El Higo”. The time: the sun has just set behind the wide horizon, and the eastern Solemn mountain have grown cold. It’s 8:30 pm. Yunaman is a musical band of four members. This time only the couple were there: Anna and… Continue reading Yunamán in Granada live
The fireworks light the sky
when the fireworks lit the sky and the children gathered to celebrate another festivity lo que sea my Palestinian friend, who sat by my side, reached out for the light and turned it off an automatic response a physical response the heart palpates quickly followed by shame from the eyes staring in the dark. this… Continue reading The fireworks light the sky
Wajib – personal review فيلم واجب
Wajib means duty or obligation. And to understand the lives of Palestinians living in Israel it is a wajib to watch this film. The film tells the story of a torn family living in Nazareth. The mother has left for the states, while her husband stayed to raise their son and daughter. The narration uses… Continue reading Wajib – personal review فيلم واجب
The Insult – personal review
Case no.23 on the list of the high court of Lebanon: Tony Hanna, a Lebanese Christian, asks for an appeal after the local court finds Yasser Salameh, a Palestinian refugee, not guilty. The three judges, woman and two men, listen to the arguments of defense and persecution. I will not summarize the plot but I… Continue reading The Insult – personal review
Thirteen ways to look at a cloud
About four years ago, I read a Wallace Stevens poem called “Thirteen ways to look at a blackbird”. For a reason, I still go back to that poem. Today, the skies pregnant with heavy clouds, I wrote this poem in amelioration of Stevens’ poem. I hope you like it. I dark clouds are faster than… Continue reading Thirteen ways to look at a cloud
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when i wash my face i empty myself for sleep; the words i’ve learnt the expressions ive resgistered and visions of unattainable future are drained down the sink. when i dry my face -i take my time- i trace every furrow down its pore i accept the loss with regret and tears. when… Continue reading Untitled
AICHA BINT YUSIF 