Shy steel

centuries old redwood  

survived the hottest fire

singed your

brown eyes black

you still smile

Your lips may caress

and show force

kiss the sun

your singularity

helped you run

Into the arms of America

on an Epica starship 

flown by danger

dance by true identity 

promise of less pain

You fear height

and love blue sky

a contradictory world

so fear yourself, Friend

you already soar

Subhi Nahas resides in the USA after fleeing Syria, and advocates for rights of LGBTQ refugees.

He has addressed the United Nations, and coordinates information dissemination for others fleeing the threat of war.

Richard Gerst is a director & photographer. He wrote the poem above using answers by Subhi to questions he submitted to him, prior to capturing his portrait.