How did we get to this place?
Our house is cold from the icy breath of silence. I sit at the table tossing the stale remnants of my breakfast... The sound of my fork against the porcelain plate wakes me from my day dream. No longer distracted by the musings of my mind, I begin to look around wondering how we arrived at this place... Our life together was made up of thousands of beautiful moments, strung together by our love, moments I wish we could have lived in for eternity but now we are locked in a purgatory created by disdain.
My eyes trace his figure through the blaring sunlight from kitchen window and as he comes in to focus, I can see him heaping dumplings into his already full mouth. I shudder briefly from disgust; things I found endearing in youth are no longer cute or funny as an adult. I leave my seat at the table and place my dish in the sink, brushing him lightly but nothing is said from either side. We live in a haunted house now passing each other like ghosts, taunted by the spirits of who we once were.
I walk through the house retracing the steps of our past... My first stop is the living room, where I could see happier times, him cradling my legs as I fed him popcorn. We enjoyed those times on the sofa, visually consuming everything that peeked our interests; well everything but horror… Which I love but he found too terrifying to watch, we'd curse the news commenters for dimming our positive vibes and always reminding us of how trashy people are ruining the word. I back up slightly, as if to get a better view of a past, like a director trying to catch the right shot. My gaze then goes beyond just us, I can see our friends now... It's game night and we are playing Subcategory, while we enjoy libations and good conversation. As the night closes we walk them to the door, bidding them goodbye. I continue on my journey following our former selves upstairs and to the bedroom.
Here in the door of our bedroom, I watch intently as our passion sets the room is ablaze, our bodies collide like waves. We take shelter under the blanket of the moon, I open up ready to receive the fullness of him entirely. Our rhythmic moans sing out to the cosmos, declaring we are forever linked, we reaffirm the promises made by our hearts. Minutes fold in to hours, we fall in to our pillows. I watch as we follow the sandman in to the realm slumber.
My journey in to our past is done... A love that should have been sustaining, didn't. It failed to weather the changes that come along with time. And yet still I ask how did we get to this place? Was it for lack of trying? Complacency? Were these the things that allowed our love to slip from our fingers like sand through an hour glass, allowing it to be swept away by a current strong enough to break the dam of our resolve. Irreplaceable and irrevocably damaged...
I suppose the question no longer matters. I am tired, the strength to fight has disappeared along with my dreams of forever. I leave with an unspoken goodbye, feeling liberated. I break the threshold back in to world, reborn in to myself. I cast my arms wide thanking the world for welcoming me, that first breathe cleansed me of any doubt I had about leaving. I wasn't leaving him but encouraging him to grow on his own, independent of me and the love that once was but no longer is.
About the Creator
Jeh Wells
Hey loves, I am Jeh a vivacious and multi-talented Jamaican Yankee. Passionate about all things creative,who lovingly basks in Mother natures ethereal beauty and I look forward to sharing with you all.
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Hind Rajab: A Child the World Heard Too Late
Cinema has always been a powerful medium for telling stories that history books often reduce to numbers. When a film chooses to focus on a single child caught in the machinery of war, it forces audiences to confront reality not as statistics, but as human loss. The movie inspired by the tragic story of Hind Rajab, a young Palestinian girl, does exactly that. It is not merely a film; it is a testimony, a memorial, and a question posed to the conscience of the world. Hind Rajab’s name became known globally after reports emerged of her final hours during the Gaza conflict. She was a child trapped in circumstances no child should ever experience. The film based on her story does not sensationalize her death, nor does it turn her suffering into spectacle. Instead, it approaches her story with restraint, dignity, and an unwavering focus on innocence lost amid violence. The Story at the Heart of the Film The movie centers on a young Palestinian girl who becomes separated from safety during intense military escalation. Through her eyes, viewers witness fear, confusion, and the fragile hope that someone, somewhere, will come to help. The film follows her final journey—both physical and emotional—using minimal dialogue and powerful visual storytelling. Rather than relying on graphic imagery, the filmmakers choose silence, pauses, and close-up shots to convey terror and vulnerability. This artistic choice makes the film even more haunting. The audience is left to sit with the child’s fear, her calls for help, and the unbearable waiting that defines her final moments. By focusing on Hind as an individual rather than a symbol, the film restores her humanity. She is not portrayed as a political tool, but as a daughter, a child with dreams, and a life that mattered. A Child as the Center of a Global Tragedy What makes this movie particularly impactful is its refusal to shift focus away from the civilian cost of war. The story does not revolve around soldiers, strategies, or power struggles. It revolves around a child who should have been worried about school, friends, and play—not survival. This narrative choice challenges the audience to rethink how conflicts are discussed in media and politics. Wars are often framed in terms of borders, ideologies, and victory. This film asks a different question: What is the price paid by those who have no role in choosing the war? By centering the story on Hind, the film exposes the imbalance of power and the devastating consequences faced by the most vulnerable. Artistic Direction and Emotional Weight The film’s direction is deliberately restrained. There is no dramatic background score overpowering the scenes. Instead, ambient sounds—distant explosions, static-filled phone calls, the quiet breathing of a frightened child—carry the emotional weight. This realism makes the film deeply unsettling. The young actress portraying Hind delivers a performance that is heartbreakingly authentic. Her expressions alone communicate fear, confusion, and bravery far beyond her years. The filmmakers avoid overacting or melodrama, allowing the story’s truth to speak for itself. Cinematography plays a crucial role as well. Tight frames and limited perspectives reinforce the feeling of entrapment, while long, unbroken shots force viewers to experience time as Hind did—slow, uncertain, and terrifying. A Political Film Without Political Speeches One of the film’s greatest strengths is that it does not rely on speeches or overt political messaging. Its power lies in its simplicity. By telling one child’s story honestly, it exposes the broader reality of civilian suffering in conflict zones. The film does not tell audiences what to think. Instead, it asks them to feel—and that is far more powerful. Viewers are left to grapple with difficult questions about responsibility, accountability, and the value of human life. This approach has made the movie resonate across cultures and ideologies. Even those unfamiliar with the details of the Palestinian struggle can connect with the universal themes of childhood, fear, and loss. Reception and Global Impact Since its release, the film has sparked intense discussion on social media, in film circles, and among human rights advocates. Many viewers describe it as one of the most emotionally challenging films they have ever watched. Critics have praised its ethical storytelling and refusal to exploit tragedy. For many, the movie serves as an entry point into understanding the human cost of the Gaza conflict. It has been screened at independent film festivals and community events, often followed by discussions about civilian protection and children in war zones. Most importantly, the film ensures that Hind Rajab’s name is not forgotten. In a world where news cycles move quickly, cinema has given her story permanence. Why This Film Matters This movie matters because it stands against normalization of suffering. It reminds us that behind every headline about war are real people, real families, and real children whose lives are forever altered—or ended. By immortalizing Hind Rajab’s story, the film becomes an act of resistance against silence. It insists that her life had meaning and that her death deserves acknowledgment, reflection, and accountability. In the end, this is not just a film about one Palestinian girl. It is a film about every child trapped in conflict, every unanswered call for help, and every moment when humanity fails its youngest members. Cinema cannot undo tragedy, but it can refuse to let it be ignored. And in doing so, this film ensures that Hind Rajab’s story continues to speak—long after the screen fades to black.
By Hasbanullah4 days ago in Humans
Comments (1)
Deep Piece ❤️📝😉❗