Story of Thyme by Amal Al Nakhala

By Amal Al Nakhala, a Palestinian visual artist from Gaza. From the author:

"Zaatar came into my life before the war began in October 2023. He wasn’t just a pet, he was like a tiny human, and I bonded with him in a way I’ve never really bonded with people. I named him Zaatar, the Arabic word for thyme, a herb deeply rooted in Palestinian culture, symbolizing strength and resilience. The name suited him perfectly.

He evacuated with me seven times as we fled from one place to another under bombing. He survived alone for weeks in Gaza, hidden among rubble. But when I had the chance to evacuate to Egypt, I was told he wouldn’t be allowed through the border. I was heartbroken, but I left him in Rafah with my sister and her family, trusting that he’d be safe.

After I crossed into Egypt and saw people holding their pets, guilt began to consume me. Then my sister had to evacuate again, and Zaatar was left behind. Rafah has now been destroyed. My mother keeps telling me someone may have found him, that he might still be alive. But I can’t let myself cling to that hope, because the truth is, I left him.

I still see him in every cat I pass. I still dream of him, recently, as a frightened kitten who just wanted to be held.

This zine is my way of keeping him alive ,not to erase the guilt, but to place his story somewhere outside of Gaza. A small memorial for Zaatar, and maybe a quiet space for others who have had to make impossible choices."