confused arab chick

i have learned many things
about women

things i did not instinctively know
or was i socialized to learn

but then i started meeting
falistiniyat

these women lift my spirits
and make my heart swell
with pride

they are the ones that made me want to scream
for the first time
"i'm a palestinian woman too!"

they get so much done
and wait for no one
for help
or support
or even acknowledgment

they work out what is necessary
and they do it
meawhile they remain beautiful
and stunning

their skin beams with the love
they share
their hair shines with honor
and delight
their lips smile with the comfort
of their intelligence

but anyway this is not a beauty contest.

i just need to share the love
that i have for
these Palestinian women

around the world-- and in New York City-- not only the ones with dead husbands and brothers and sons in gaza
but the ones rocking their tetas stitches on the MTA
listening to their earphones, smile on their face, on their way from work to meeting to lover to school to work

to work
to work
to work on their various interesting projects, before going home to do their hair and go out and dance
and they dance so gracefully
so beautifully
that eyes are always drawn to them and their magic
the magic that organizes and brings boulders of men to their knees-- before they come home and feed one another wara2 3inab

because they never forget the importance of wara2 3inab.