Salam Almahi

“Someone has to leave first. This is a very old story. There is no other version of this story.”
― Richard Siken, War of the Foxes

“Dear Milena,
I wish the world were ending tomorrow. Then I could take the next train, arrive at your doorstep in Vienna, and say: “Come with me, Milena. We are going to love each other without scruples or fear or restraint. Because the world is ending tomorrow.” Perhaps we don’t love unreasonably because we think we have time, or have to reckon with time. But what if we don't have time? Or what if time, as we know it, is irrelevant? Ah, if only the world were ending tomorrow. We could help each other very much.”
― Franz Kafka, Letters to Milena

“I Swear Somewhere This Works

In a parallel universe or another world
or a different life,

we sit across from each other

at the kitchen table

and go over
the grocery
list.”
― Trista Mateer, The Dogs I Have Kissed

“فكّر لحظتها بأن كل حكاية هي عملية استعادة لحكاياتٍ كُتبت، و استدعاءٌ لحكاياتٍ لم تُكتب. إنها الحكاية نفسها منذ الأزل و إلى الأبد، تعيد ولادة نفسها كل يومٍ بتجلياتٍ جديدة. و شعر بأنه لم يقترب في حياته من فهم الرَّب كما فعل لتوِّه.”
― بثينة العيسى, حارس سطح العالم