Safa Saleh Hosson
صفاء صالح حصن
Once upon a morning
I was stalked by a grey-haired man
Who smelled like cigars
And liked girls around the age of his grandchild
With blue jeans
And hair hidden beneath floral scarfs
I had to walk faster
And keep my eyes on the ground
Because that was the thing to do
Once upon a dreary afternoon
I read the diaries of the little child I was
And I felt pure once again
Reminded by all the afternoon games
My sister and I would always play
Wretched
I realized how everything has changed
Except my appalling handwriting
And I ran to my bed and took a nap
Because that’s how my afternoons are spent now
Once upon an evening
I painted my nails in silence
Read a novella that filled my head
With blossoming flowers and clouds
And I had to turn off the music
Because our neighbor claims it’s haram
Once upon a night
You asked me how my day was
And I answered with ‘fine’
And I sang myself to sleep
Because only when I sleep I feel secure
