Life Through Her Eyes: 15

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                                                                       Then Vs. now

I used to think writing helps me express myself 

Now I can't find the words to say how I feel 

I used to think therapy allows me a safe space 

Turns out I don’t feel safe anywhere 

I used to think people are weak 

Turns out I'm more resilient than any human should be 

I used to think the Palestinian cause was known worldwide 

Now I speak with Arabs who call it a conflict 

I used to think I was cursed for so many reasons 

Now I believe I'm lucky without knowing why 

I used to love to gossip and laugh 

Now all I can talk about is genocide 

I believed that my life would start abroad 

Now I can't imagine living anywhere outside of Palestine 

I used to believe that it will be free 

I still shan't from the river to the sea

About the Author

Rand is a 26-year-old Palestinian. She is the youngest of four children; she finished her undergraduate studies at Bir Zeit University, Ramallah, Palestine. During her university years, Rand grew more interested in the humanitarian structure and the Palestinian cause from a humanitarian point of view. Through volunteering and networking, rand received many pieces of training in crisis management, and emergency navigation, as well as, humanitarian structure, signature, and localization allowing her to employ her knowledge in her career and as a volunteer with many local and international humanitarian organizations. Moreover, rand is a very expressive artistic person who attempts to share her human experience through pen and brush. She is captivated by sunsets and Palestinian beauty.