I owe all of these homes credit for piecing together aspects of my identity. Here are a few haikus describing and summing up my main experiences in each of the countries I've lived in.
Lebanon
Emerald cedars
Snowy slopes for winter fun
Shining sapphire sea
Syria
Old Damascus souqs
Lingering scents of za’atar
Flowery carvings
Dubai
Camel farm field trips
Tallest building in the world
Ski Dubai trauma
Bahrain
Sun-soaked skin
St. Chris plaid skirts, polo shirts
Pool parties with cake
Kuwait
Weekend movie trips
Endless shopping endeavors
Sushi aplenty
Saudi Arabia
Abaya chilling
Compounds with bowling alleys
News reads: “Rain floods school”
Illinois, USA
“Hey, where are you from?”
Dreading the cold wintry days
New experiences