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MAXIMALISM
REEM RIZK
2021

A prose piece discussing the difficulties of being the "other" in a romantic relationship. Addressing the horrific feeling of ones cultural ties not matching the decor of a partner's life.

Originally Published in the Pulse Annual Print & Digital Journal: 2021 (Issue #1, Print Edition)

I have always been scared to bring lovers home. 

 

Culture is so prominent when imported from another country.

Every one of your senses is activated in an unfamiliar way. 

Loud language that feels like yelling to the untrained ear becomes perceived as a threat. 

Sharp sounds like knives hide in mundane interaction. 

Spices fill the nose before the dishes touch the tongue.

The walls are filled with golden calligraphy.

If you run your hand over the words, 

the confused fingertip feels a tangled mess where I feel God. 

 

There is no minimalism in an immigrant home.

The exterior is the same as every house on the street. 

So outwardly mundane and so internally filled with elegant reminders of life. 

 

As a first generation child it felt embarrassing.

Bringing friends back and having to give explanation after explanation.

But now I know how beautiful it is

that my parents stuffed our house with reminders of life,

instead of clearing our home to be as much of a blank canvas as possible.

 

I have always been scared to bring lovers home. 

 

When my lover and I first began to build a home together, 

we joked about running to Vegas to simplify the weaving of two cultures.

Creating our own life, too scared to bring one another home.

I dedicated myself to this blank slate. 

 

I cherished the extra compliments he gave when I brought heat to my hair. 

I coughed while the smell of bleach interacted with my scalp. 

My curl pattern slowly became lifeless.

My calligraphy became a blank canvas.

White with straight lines.

When I ran my fingers through it, I felt nothing.

 

I never brought him home. 

I knew if he entered his shoes would stay on. 

Trampling what he sees as mess. 

The fibres of this canvas are not white so he does not mind leaving stains.

 

He never brought me home. 

Afraid I would ruin the minimalist design. 

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