Through a kaleidoscope of family stories, writer Samah Fadil holds on to what it means to be Afro-Palestinian in the diaspora — Before 1948 Imagine a family tree. The roots of this tree are entangled so deep into the ground that it would be difficult to picture it anyplace else. The roots of this tree become a stem that grows into branches extending to all corners and curves of Palestine. From an-Naqab desert, where…

a poem about blood being thicker than water — Her fangs came out at night rows along the highway blood burst out in spurts the evil in the details Three sisters entrenched in the sight saw devils challenge desperate fight Stars gleaming, pointed, sharp punctured through stillness of dark Serrated blades, each pearl a sin tearing through her soft fleshed…

You made me realize your feminism never included people like me — One thing I would bet money on finding in any workplace scenario is a sleazy, perverted, and inappropriate man. I’ve worked since I was 16 years old, and even then, my (adult) male co-workers always found a way to steer the conversation toward sex and ask me all matters of…

a poem about love and neglect — How dare you pick me up just to throw me away? A weightless pile of fibers clinging to your skin hoping for static to reconnect matter between us. You wear me whole My threads conceal your flesh more fragile than silkworms feeding on mulberry leaves my blanket covers you raw on your throne…

a poem about the hurt we know — I’m sad. I’m angry. I’m all the things I’m told not to be. I fear. I hurt. I take my time with this. But when I’m feeling happy or fine it’s like I can barely stand the bliss. Too foreign to my bones. Ready and willing to be heavy. Not sure what lightness is. Accepting the constant ache as necessary for my being to Be. Who am I if not the hate & loathing that was projected onto me?

Are You Anxiety-Prone? Have You Considered Microdosing? Read This Before You Do. — *disclaimer: this article is meant for entertainment purposes only and does not promote or encourage microdosing of any substance in any form. The word microdosing has been popping up literally everywhere for the last couple of years. News reports, TikTok testimonials, TV shows and even reputable magazines and scientific journals…

Who believes in your qualifications when you are a non-white freelancer? — After several years of freelancing and an ever-updating portfolio of my editing and translation work, I still get asked incredibly embarrassing questions by prospective clients who all operate in business and marketing spaces. I mention this because this isn’t your typical customer at the store berating you for not carrying…

I’d rather be at home in my pyjamas — While groups of humans gather do you call a group of humans a murder? Sure, let’s go with that While the murder gathers they caw to each other until the one in front orders them gently into silence They are told to close their eyes They are not together anymore They are…

After 4 years of tinkering and editing, it was time to let my words out into the world — Where do I begin with this one? It’s been a loooong time coming, but I’m so happy to announce that my debut chapbook the light, the dark, the in-between is officially published! This is a 34-page collection of micro-poems accompanied by illustrations that I began to write around 2017. To…