The arrival

The motherland, from which my family’s blood was born. The womb from where my everything stems. My mother tongue; she returns to guide me. I am home now. Tracing history. His-story. Whilst discovering hers. This photograph was taken on the last of my 38 days in Macedonia: a serene Arif rises from waters equal parts foreign and familiar. The lake, public, made private, reflects a renewed self.