I see America has infused you with the optimism that has made her so great

You have think tanks like the widely respected Atlantic Council that have published reports in the past year that have called Afghanistan a failing state.

After everything he'd built, planned, fought for, fretted over, dreamed of, this was the summation of his life; one disappointing son and two suitcases.

You say you felt a presence, but I only sensed an absence. A vague pain without a source. I was like a patient who cannot tell the doctor where it hurts, only that it does.

yet love can move people to act in unexpected ways and move them to overcome the most daunting obstacles with startling heroism

the past held only this wisdom: that love was a damaging mistake, and its accomplice, hope, a treacherous illusion

A pathetic shadow, torn between her envy and thrill of being seen with Masomma, sharing in the attention as a weed would, lapping up water meant for the lily upstream.