Last Night,

I dreamt that I was in class, sort of.

An open plain, somewhere between Iraq and 5th street in my hood.

I was trying to find a place to be. There were no walls. Only desks, the one from my high school in Japan. I can see girls my age, from every phase of my life. People, I didn't recognize...

The sun was shining, early morning, or early evening...

We were told to break into groups, everyone got up from their desks, or shifted them around mother earth.

I got up, not expecting to find a group. Expecting to be hated, immediately - no introduction needed. Just my face, and hatred.

I saw a group of dark brown skin and dark skin girls. They were forming a small group, and they were dressed in a traditional red, with dark red and off white patterns. Traditional garb. Square headwear, chest wrap, knee length skirt.

I walked up to them and asked if I could join, I was waiting for them to say 'no', but instead, one girl, reached out her hand. Their group seemed big enough already. I wasn't sure why they let me in...

We joined hands and silently felt the sun. We didn't speak. I could feel the welcome from their hands. Their eyes met mine a few times, brown and powerful. They were other-wordly and their peace, was my peace.