Friday 3/9/2010
I remember sitting by a stream as a little girl and watching the world through it’s reflection. I could see the clouds there as they drifted by overhead, and smiled as the ripples in the water interrupted their perfect tufted fullness. The earth and the reeds along the banks, melded with one another through the [...]
1
Since I first returned to Damascus several years ago, my eldest brother has been very curious about Canada. Any chance he got, he bombarded me with questions. Not that I minded answering them, in fact, I was happy to do so but I was more eager to show him. After several of our discussions I [...]
1
I always marveled at how Adnan could easily capture the attention of women without trying. Not that I ever had a problem but it never felt effortless. Women seemed drawn to his quiet charm more easily than the boisterousness of me and my other comrades. And yet, after years of observing his bahaviour and knowing [...]
1
The arrowhead had badly bruised my ribs and created a painful gash between them. The offending weapon had been removed immediately after the skirmish at Tripoli but the “surgeon’s” stitching was raw. The rough overland ride shook much of his work free. I vaguely remember the long journey back to Damascus. An infection in the [...]
1
In the year 1181, six years before Salah al-Din captured Jerusalem from the Crusaders, the lands of the Levant and Egypt were in a constant state of political flux. The Islamic forces, lead by Salah al-Din were not only moving out across the area and beyond in hopes of expanding the empire, but to quell [...]
1
It’s been years since his father described the amity between the vulgarian mob and the panderers of the gentry as whorishly filthy. The words echoed in his head as Majed walked into the expansive reception hall. He felt awkward as he often did in the midst of the wrong crowd. Everyone, everything he hated was [...]
1
Dear Readers, Please see my latest edition to the Welcome series – Welcome 3- on Abufares’s blog. I’ll be back here soon with another short story. Thank you and happy reading. Mariyah
1
God knows I never sought anything in you except yourself. I wanted simply you, nothing of yours. ~ Heloise to Abelard in The Letters of Abelard and Heloise. My Love, I awoke this morning to find you looking at me with your soft, sleepy eyes. You held me close, your hand gently tracing the form [...]
1
The pleating on my skirt was bothering me. I sat, awkwardly trying to flatten it, at a table full of mostly strangers; people I knew of but didn’t know at all. I never really liked that dress and I don’t know why I wore it. I should have worn something more comfortable. At least then [...]
1
“Come, ride with me.” My father had given me explicit orders to stay in the car. He had not wanted me along in the first place, but I pleaded with him to take me. “They are all men here.” He said reproachfully. “Just stay out of sight.” I had no intention of obeying him but [...]
1
The story of my return to Syria after living in Canada for 20 years. Includes observations, reflections, and memories of my life, my country, and my family.