THE ANCHOR.

Ekhlas Al-Azzah is a woman of many talents. She is a teacher, a chef, and a painter. And, she does it all in style. While she saves makeup for special occasions, she told me, she refuses to have a bad hair day. Ekhlas was born with muscular atrophy and has spent her entire life in a wheelchair. She lives in Bethlehem’s Al-Azzah camp, named after her family—the smallest Palestinian refugee camp in the world, comprised of a singular 250-meter-long, densely populated street. She makes her living as an Arabic teacher, and I was lucky enough to be one of her students.

For over 30 years, Ekhlas has hosted volunteers from all over the world to provide her the 24-hour care she needs in exchange for language lessons and, more importantly, to spread awareness about Palestine—especially what it means to be a disabled woman living under occupation.

“Life has become increasingly hard during the last year and a half. Especially in my situation,” she wrote. “Resisting the occupation takes a lot of energy.” Ekhlas is hoping for a brief respite through a trip to Europe next month. “My plan is to travel to Germany, Italy, and Spain to visit friends and hold educational events talking about my homeland and my life.”

the sky doesn't care what my poor heart wants.

the moon doesn't mind that i'm left all alone.

if you ever wanna see my face again, i wanna know.

if you ever get lonely, please let me know.

don't laugh. you'll make me cry.

so long. good luck. goodbye.

i know we will be together.

in my mind, you're mine forever.

don't wait. it's time to go.

if you really wanna stay, i'll go alone.

we really should've left here long ago.

keep moving.

love is strange.

i can't sleep without you.

everybody lies.

i'll never doubt you.

i don't want to die, but i can't live without you.

i'm much too young to die.

i've been lost before.

i have traveled many miles.

i don't wanna walk no more.

every road and every highway led me right back to your door.

love me like you used to.

i dream most every night that i never left you.

do you love me anymore?

i know i've made mistakes, but i am different now.

i've changed.

will you know me from the rest?

will you let me lay beside you?

will you grant me my request?

i swear this time around i'm gonna stay.

when i dream, i'll only dream of you.

i curse the goddamn day that i went and left you.

meet me in the city.

put on the dress you wore the night we met.

you and me are gonna paint this town.

we'll go wild and seize the night.

am i not the one you're dreaming of, my angel?

go home and say goodbye forever.

tell your ball and chain you won't be back around.

forget the life you had and don't look back.

if our love is so wrong, tell me, why does it feel so right?

let me go free forever.

i've got a place in the world.

i found my way.

send me to the mountains.

i have a tale or two to tell you.

the booze just makes me slow.

there's a method to my madness.

there's a reason why i'm still living here.

i made a promise when i left for the coast.

i got along for a while i guess.

it took everything i had.

i gotta find a way out of this mess.

i'm in trouble and it sure looks bad.

i have a thought or two to share with you.

the gambling left me poor.

i get by, but i'm tired of myself.

i just want us to be who we were long ago.

you're my long lost love.

where did the time go?

may you live until you die.

it's hard to make friends when you're half in the grave.

i ain't dead yet, and i got something to say.

you got holes in your clothes and booze on your breath.

you look like hell and you smell like death.

you're tired of me, i'm tired of you.

turn around and leave it to myself.

i don't want to lose you.

i can't stay here. i just can't.

told you i would never leave you all alone, but i lied.

i read your letter in the morning by the lake.

i lied.

so much to say, but my words mean nothing.

if i leave in the night, i'll only be running.

the world keeps turning.

it isn't for you, and it ain't for me.

i'll make a deal with the devil.

are you interested in alchemy?

working late?

i found it in the library.

i don't believe it was there when i went to bed.

what do you wish to know about?

surely you know all about them.

young mages do ask the complicated questions first.

the stories have a bit more substance to them.

do i detect disappointment?

we might cause a stir.

if you're curious about the undead, i could arrange an excursion.

where should we start?

how interesting.

it is more powerful than most of what we're used to.

you've made a discovery?

fascinating. the amount of magic you could harness...

what did it do?

it's for the best.

what training did you have as a young mage?

the offer stands if you reconsider.

does that happen often in the forest?

it's a work of art.

i was an apprentice once.

it wouldn't be worth studying if it were dull.

am i right in feeling that something deeper troubles you?

the things i could teach you...

how was that book you found the other day?

surely everyone knows about that!

there was one creature... twice as tall as you.

it whispered in a language no one recognized... except when it spoke our names.

i was a most timid child.

what's your latest hearsay?

that's quite enough.

my dear, i know perfectly well what i'm doing.

that's wonderful to hear.

i'm surprised you recognize it.

how could i possibly know that?

your power is quite unlike other magic i've seen.

i'm pleased to travel with you.

you mustn't pay them any mind.

i admit i haven't given it much thought.

do you regret not having those things?

excellent point!

isn't that funny?

does it ever last longer than a few seconds?

strangely enough, i might've found myself in that situation recently.

i must've been distracted.

what are you getting at?

may we change topics?

the heart speaks across all things.

we're out of almonds? already?

were you eating? in the library?

this sounds like the perfect opportunity for experimentation!

do you have any say in your targets?

forgive me, i shouldn't have asked.

i find it extremely interesting that you consider the point of view of your enemies in battle.

i'm sorry that you two came together under such unjust circumstances.

my sympathies.

have you considered my suggestion?

it's your turn to cook tonight, isn't it?

you must let me bring you some.

where did you learn to cook?

i don't mean to be intrusive.

we all approach things in our own way.

you'll have to forgive my own worries.

time is a factor, but not necessarily a limiting one.

who do you have in mind?

you had your concerns about me at first.

what was that fruit we had yesterday?

you've quite an eye for detail.

i'll admire from afar.

where is that song from?

the advice is well taken.

you're not curious?

it would make for an interesting experiment.

are you using them for exercise?

you sound disappointed.

if you have any questions, please do let me know.

that was a friendly greeting.