by Jood AlThukair
١ alo, hi edward, sorry to bother you bas are you free tonight? there’s this new exhibition in town— la, edward, it isn’t like the previous one bas we can leave if anyone self-orientalizes ٢ in the mirror i outline my lips for every funeral kiss i fist my coils in a low bun; when i forget my grandmother, i look me in the eye & i bridge the chasm ٣ edward enters the museum, sees me, kisses my two cheeks, tells me i look taller he stares at a painting of a belly-dancer luring soldiers that don’t speak like us & scowls at me i apologize ٤ edward walks me back home he asks if i listened to the new abdelhalim song i tell him to sing it to me & i tell him i love him
Jood AlThukair is a writer and editor-in-chief of Sumou, an online magazine for creative youth. Based in Saudi Arabia, she oscillates between writing and making art all while plucking pomegranates, juggling academia, and fighting for decolonization. Find her on Instagram: @jusqu.a or Twitter: @joodthu.
BAHR // بحر 