I do not need nor want the kind of love
That is one-sided
I want people
Who give me energy and support me
The way I am
I want people to treat me the same way I treat them

At 4 am, you’re sleeping,

But me?

I am fleeing what once was my home,

Leaving behind a part of me,

I look back at my dad,

Watching him wipe away his tears,

Questioning when I will see him again,

Whilst worrying about his safety.

Iraq, you were once my home,

You served me nothing but terrifying memories and fears,

Fears and anxieties stuck with me forever,

I can’t help but blame you,

Blame you for the struggles and challenges I face every day,

But deep down,

I know I am made from you,

And for that,

I am thankful,

You moulded me into the tree that will one day survive the storm.