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
With the midterm elections now firmly upon us, the question is whether Democratic candidates will do more than merely occupy ballot lines as mild alternatives to the red-hot crisis that is Donald Trump.
As Trump spends over $1 billion a day on a globally destabilizing war on Iran and admits that he doesn’t “think about Americans’ financial situation,” millions across the country are struggling with the surging costs of essentials. Democrats must seize this moment and advance bold, small-“d” populist ideas—not settle for cynical caution that once again snatches defeat from the jaws of victory.
The Nation elevates progressive ideas, movements, and elected officials achieving real change across the country into the national conversation. At the same time, our journalists are exposing how crypto and AI-funded super PACs are spending hundreds of millions of dollars to knock out candidates they oppose, reporting on the devastating impact of the Supreme Court’s evisceration of the Voting Rights Act, and sounding the alarm on attempts by red states to quickly redraw electoral maps, disenfranchising Southern Black voters.
We can play this critical role because of support from readers like you. This June, we’re raising $20,000 to power The Nation’s independent journalism in the run-up to November’s immensely consequential elections.
It’s in our power to build a more just society, and your support at this critical moment brings us closer to that bold vision. I hope you’ll donate today.
Onward,
Katrina vanden Heuvel
Editor and Publisher, 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.