Illustration by Tim Robinson.
1They inscribed their lives on clayand moved awayI hear the echo pulse by pulse
2Some memories we chaselike goats away from flowers,yet we wake one dayto the wilted ruins
3Let’s meet in the word forgottenfrom the dictionary, and breatheits air like the smell of the “klecha”my mother baked for the Eid holiday
4
In my country, I was a stranger.In exile, I am strange
5
The spider built its netin a statue’s open palm.For the spider, the palm is home,not a metaphor of home
In this time of unrelenting, often unprecedented cruelty and lawlessness, I’m grateful for Nation readers like you.
So many of you have taken to the streets, organized in your neighborhood and with your union, and showed up at the ballot box to vote for progressive candidates. You’re proving that it is possible—to paraphrase the legendary Patti Smith—to redeem the work of the fools running our government.
And as we head into 2026, I promise that The Nation will fight like never before for justice, humanity, and dignity in these United States.
At a time when most news organizations are either cutting budgets or cozying up to Trump by bringing in right-wing propagandists, The Nation’s writers, editors, copy editors, fact-checkers, and illustrators confront head-on the administration’s deadly abuses of power, blatant corruption, and deconstruction of both government and civil society.
We couldn’t do this crucial work without you.
Through the end of the year, a generous donor is matching all donations to The Nation’s independent journalism up to $75,000. But the end of the year is now only days away.
Time is running out to have your gift doubled. Don’t wait—donate now to ensure that our newsroom has the full $150,000 to start the new year.
Another world really is possible. Together, we can and will win it!
Love and Solidarity,
John Nichols
Executive Editor, The Nation
6
Imprisoned in the magical lampfor years that exceeded even the jinni’s abilityto count; he cannot wish himself out.His brief freedoms only comewhen others wish for a bit of luck
7
When Human cries,Dog thinks the world is ending.When Human smiles,two stars from the world’s endglitter in Dog’s eyes.When Human makes waror any other ridiculous thing,Dog begs to curl up together on the rug
8
She calls aloud for the absenteesin her country’s air,calling day and nightuntil they cling in her voice
Get unlimited access: $9.50 for six months.
9
If you don’t carry the sunwithin, then why does lightspill from you everywhere?
10
Deep inside the beach,moss grows around a rock,a soft embrace.When the water washes it away,it trembles like the gestureswe make waving from balconiesfor our loved onesin pandemic times
11
We remember the days from the wordsof our beloved people
12
They kept drawing circles on the groundas if their alphabet is a feeling with no end
13
Sometimes I scribble imagesbecause I don’t have the words
14
I ask the moon: Which is more worthy of loveyour light or darkness?Moon answers: A worthy love accepts both faces
15
On the chess board,a pawn crawls to the last squareto survive
16
Earth, too, needs a space
17
I time-traveled to youfor a question
18
Through closed eyes,she saw their stolen bodies,their scattered feathers,and their flutes
19
Sad silence is translated into all languages
20
The first moment of war: a slippery fish from the river
21
The cage owner reminds the sparrow:life outside is inferno.One day the sparrow flies awayand there in the heights,overlooking the ruins of the world,the sparrow discovers the cage owner was right.It sings about the ruins,a beautiful song with no walls
22
Does the clock knowthat its little ticksmake eternity?
23
With one click, I can download your smile and everything will be good
24
Let love bethe new world order
Dunya MikhailDunya Mikhail works as a special lecturer at Oakland University.