Glasses

I've always known that someday I'll need to wear glasses,

My mother wore them, my father wore them, my grandmother wore them

so I had to like them!

 When you like something you no longer "have to do it",

and me...no one forced me to wear glasses.

Sometimes my mom forces me to take them off,

she says "You don't look like yourself when you wear them",

I say "I don't know myself when I take them off".

To tease her I send her emojis wearing glasses,

she gets mad.

I want to say "Take off my eyes but keep my glasses",

but I can't handle her madness

so I sent her my picture without glasses.

 

My glasses have always been distorted.

One side has always been higher than the other,

not just because I'm like an expert in buying cheap glasses,

 but because I wear them often even when I'm asleep,

 not just to make my dreams more clear

But because I'm afraid of a sudden war,

a war that can make me flee my bed.

There is always some war hunting us

 and I can handle hunger or thirst,

  but I can't handle a life without my glasses.

  

 I was in my third year of college when it became clear,

I needed glasses, and this time for real

 During the 4 hours trip back home

  I was searching for a language proper to ask for new glasses,

 " a language" that will not make my mom search for a way to fix me.

 I needed to practice a broken tone,

 the last thing I wanted was a sudden happiness

that can't be explained.

  

 When I wore my glasses for the first time,

 I wanted to scream and cry,

 to hug everyone in the street,

  the sellers,

  the running ladies,

  the taxi drivers,

  everyone.

 But I settled with repositioning my glasses on my nose

 almost every five minutes.

 Maybe to make sure they were still there,

or maybe because I was like a child tasting his favorite candy for the first time after Ramadan.

I wish I could give you my glasses

 even if just for a while.

 If I do

 I won't be able to see,

 the sadness in your eyes.

 If I do you

 you will not be able to see,

 you will be groping your way,

   away from me,

 or you might be able to see

 so you will find your way

 For the first time.