Authored by Omnia Izzeldeen Abdelwahab

“I was born in Wad Madani and raised in the States. My earliest and most favorite memories are of the summers spent in Sudan. Every year, my mom would take my siblings and I back home for the duration of the summer. Most of our time would be spent at my grandparents home in Madani. I loved getting sent to the دكان to buy last minute ingredients, and getting to use the change to buy candy. I loved being surrounded by family. I loved playing with my cousins and the neighborhood kids. I can still feel the hot sun on my skin. I can still taste the coolness of the داردمة in my mouth. I can hear the laughter so clearly. I can still see the redness of the sky, accompanying the touchdown of a كتاحة. I can still smell my grandma's chai made every morning along with the rustling of the بسكويت بركة wrappers. I want to go back home to my family. I want to go back to Sudan before the war. I hope to go back to a free Sudan.”

Poem:

The Things I Carried

I carry skin that has been kissed by the rays of the hot Sudan sun, and tickled by the rare cool breeze.

I carry hands that have been deprived of the touch of my grandma, aunts, uncles, and cousins for far too long.

I carry hands that miss holding on tightly to the bar in the riksha as I set out on my newest adventure.

I carry a tongue that rolls Arabic off of it like a happy toddler rolling down the playground slide.

I carry eyes that miss gazing up at the stars that dazzle like the most stunning diamonds you can imagine.

I carry eyes that would look up in awe at how the moon would illuminate the dark earth.

I carry ears that have grown accustomed to the cacophony of horns in the busy streets.

I carry a nose that can pick up on a sandstorm hours before it comes down.

I carry feet that have walked me along the shores of the Nile, and toes that remember the feeling of the warm sand all too well.

carry a mind that recalls all of my favorite memories made there.

I carry a heart that misses home, sweet home.

I carry a piece of Sudan with me everywhere.

-Omnia Izzeldeen Abdelwahab

Artwork By: Noon Eltoum (_theconfluence_)