“Like everyone else
I know your life was never perfect
You had your
Share of traumas and pain
Oppression was deeply planted
Well before eyes could open
But you still
Chose to smile
Chose to laugh
Whenever the chance
I can easily see spending year after year like this,
With you
I would never tire
All those things that guarded my heart
Without realization
Vanished
Is it that simple
When destiny gives you permission”

from Truly Falling
Sabila Raza
in A KALEIDOSCOPE OF STORIES
Muslim Voices in Contemporary Poetry
Coming soon from Lote Tree Press