I trace the outline of the circle of the moon in my head as I stare into the ocean sky. Soon, we will be in the new world greeted by the new moon which symbolizes new beginnings. The ocean waves are slightly swaying the boat and I feel a cold but welcoming breeze. I take a deep breath in and gracefully exhale the salty promise of the future.
My Irish eyes have lit up as I venture into the cabin. I am swaying and basking in my feminity. My husband, ever the pragmatist has gone to bed early and encouraged me to do the same, so I'm careful not to wake him.
I bask in the warmth of his resting body, where even in sleep he sends out a sense of safety and security. His hands, cracked and broken symbolize the hard work of the past. I gently squeeze his hand and bring it to my face and kiss it for what seems like a million times. He deserves to rest.
I venture out to the cabin floor and pass other passengers along the way. Their faces tell a story without saying a word. We have made it out. Their nods tell me, we are on the same team.
I observe some more, the laughter, the stories, the families, and the babies. Oh the babies. In front of me is a woman rocking a toddler. Next to her is a young child with sparkling blonde hair and delicate blue eyes who appears to be up way past her bed time. She locks eyes with me and then turns away in shyness several times until she finally speaks up. "Hi, my name is Ebba, and I'm 6," she says. "Hi Ebba," I tell her as her mom gives her a gentle but stern look. I walk away with a sense of comfort knowing that Ebba will never know the struggle of her elders.
I pace around the deck several more times hearing the words of my morai, "movement is life, stillness is death." The same words that convinced my husband and I to venture to the new world.
I look up and down at the ship and its mighty power. The vastness of the ocean makes it seem like a vessel between heaven and earth. The further away from the old world we get, the safer I feel.
In the distance I see the ocean fog mixed with smoke as a man slowly inhales tobacco. I walk closer to him, as he winks and says, "beautiful night, huh?" I nervously laugh but give in to the conversation after he offers me a cigarette. "What is a beautiful woman like you walking around by herself at this hour of the night," he blushing inquires.
Afraid that I have given him the wrong impression, I nervously begin explaining myself. "Oh no, you see, you've gotten the wrong idea. I am happily married," I say as I lift my cigarette hand to show him my wedding ring. "Well, then. He's a lucky guy," he says, "Just be careful out here. Not everyone is as respectful as me."
"Aren't you so curious about the new world," I inquire with the man. "Curious, no. I actually was born in Ohio and am going to visit my mother."
"Well that's wonderful," I exclaim. "Actually, she's sick," he somberly replies.
"Oh well, I'm so sorry, I hope that she gets better.
I continue to inhale the cigarette and begin to yawn. "Do you know what time it is," I inquire. "Last I saw it was 10:30," he replies. "Well, I better get back to my husband, but I didn't get your name."
"Anthony, Anthony Abbing," he replies.
"Well nice to meet you Anthony," I say as I flick my cigarette.
I walk to the cabin, snuggle up to my husband and close my eyes to sleep.
About the Creator
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Tea of Silence
The snow had covered the hills for days, turning the land into a quiet white world where sound seemed afraid to exist. On the highest of these hills, beneath a dry, leafless tree, a young man sat alone. The tree had long ago lost its strength, its branches thin and broken, but it still stood, as if refusing to disappear. The young man chose this place often, not because it was comfortable, but because it was honest.
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Europe Draws a Red Line on Greenland After a Year of Trying to Pacify Trump
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Rich in rare earth minerals, located along key Arctic routes, and home to critical U.S. military infrastructure, the island sits at the crossroads of security, climate change, and great-power rivalry. Donald Trump’s original proposal in 2019 to “buy” Greenland was widely mocked in Europe. But as his political influence resurged, so did concerns that his renewed interest was not just symbolic. Over the past year, Trump’s rhetoric — framed around U.S. security, resource access, and countering China and Russia in the Arctic — became more persistent. European capitals initially chose restraint. Officials hoped that de-escalation, quiet diplomacy, and alliance solidarity would prevent the issue from spiraling into a transatlantic rift. A Year of European Pacification For much of the past year, Europe adopted a strategy of pacification rather than confrontation. Denmark emphasized its close defense cooperation with Washington. EU leaders reiterated NATO unity and the importance of Arctic stability. Diplomats avoided public criticism, choosing private channels instead. The goal was clear: prevent Trump’s Greenland narrative from becoming official U.S. policy while preserving transatlantic relations. However, this approach had limits. As Trump’s language grew sharper — hinting at leverage, pressure, or “strategic necessity” — European patience began to erode. What once sounded like political theater increasingly resembled a challenge to European sovereignty norms. Why Europe Finally Drew the Line Europe’s tougher stance did not emerge overnight. It was driven by several converging realities. 1. Sovereignty Is Non-Negotiable At the heart of Europe’s response is a firm principle: territorial sovereignty cannot be bargained away. Greenland is not a commodity, and its future cannot be dictated by external powers — regardless of alliance ties. European leaders made it clear that any attempt to apply pressure on Denmark or Greenland would cross a red line, undermining international law and democratic self-determination. 2. Arctic Competition Is Intensifying The Arctic is no longer a frozen backwater. Melting ice has opened new shipping routes and intensified competition over resources. Russia has militarized large parts of its Arctic territory, while China has declared itself a “near-Arctic state.” Against this backdrop, Europe fears that normalizing aggressive rhetoric over Greenland could set a dangerous precedent, encouraging other powers to challenge borders under the guise of security or economic necessity. 3. Europe’s Strategic Confidence Has Grown Compared to 2019, Europe today is less willing to absorb geopolitical shocks quietly. The war in Ukraine accelerated Europe’s defense integration and sharpened its sense of strategic responsibility. Standing firm on Greenland is part of a broader shift: Europe is signaling that being a U.S. ally does not mean surrendering political agency. Greenland’s Own Voice Matters One crucial difference between past debates and today is the prominence of Greenlandic leaders themselves. Officials in Nuuk have repeatedly emphasized that Greenland’s future will be decided by its people, not by foreign capitals. Calls for respect, partnership, and economic development — rather than transactional geopolitics — have resonated strongly in Europe. By drawing a red line, European leaders are also amplifying Greenland’s right to self-determination, reinforcing the idea that Arctic communities are stakeholders, not strategic prizes. What This Means for Transatlantic Relations Europe’s firmer stance does not signal a break with the United States. NATO cooperation in the Arctic remains strong, and U.S. military presence in Greenland continues with Danish consent. However, the message is unmistakable: allies must respect boundaries. European officials are increasingly willing to publicly disagree with Washington when core principles are threatened. This reflects a maturing alliance — one where unity does not require silence. In the long run, this clarity may actually strengthen transatlantic relations, reducing ambiguity and preventing future misunderstandings. A Signal Beyond Greenland Europe’s red line on Greenland sends a message far beyond the Arctic. It signals to Russia and China that Europe will defend its territorial order, even under pressure from powerful actors. It reassures smaller states that sovereignty remains a foundational norm. And it underscores that Europe is learning to balance diplomacy with firmness in an era of great-power competition. Conclusion: From Pacification to Principle After a year of cautious diplomacy, Europe has chosen principle over placation. The red line drawn around Greenland is not an act of hostility — it is an assertion of values. In a world where power politics are returning, Europe is making one thing clear: sovereignty is not negotiable, alliances are not blank checks, and Arctic stability requires respect — not rhetoric. Greenland may be vast and sparsely populated, but the message Europe is sending from its icy shores is unmistakably global.
By Muhammad Hassan8 days ago in Earth
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