And with you gone,
I was afraid I’d forget you.

But I was wrong.

I see you in everything—
in every wave that comes ashore to greet me,
in every song the birds sing
outside my window.

Even at night,
I find you between the stars.

And I wish I could leave the earth
just to visit you.

But I can’t—
so I lie on the cold stones,
look up at the sky,
and envy the stars.

Oh, how lucky they are
to be in your presence.

My homeland smells
like freshly pressed olive oil,
like sweet fig jam,
like warm bread.

My homeland smells
like salty seas,
like endless deserts,
like ancient trees.

My homeland—
the place my soul resides,
my memories.
Mine.