Sea Prayer

Introducing a new location much closer to the city center, the narrator remembers Homs as a warmer, busier place. First showing what is presumably the grand souk mentioned and then a view of businesses from the street, the illustrations continue to balance broad brushstrokes with more literal line-work. In contrast to the earlier emphasis on green to connect with the natural beauty, these illustrations use more browns, pinks, and oranges. The use of these warmer colors also shows the passage of time as the illustrations transition from summer days to sunsets.

The illustrations now show a lot of people. The setting is described as a “bustling” place, and these figures are different than the previous ones because of their transparency. None are fully saturated in color, and because they do not fill the entire outline, these memories appear shakier. Starting with the Old City, the narrator describes the architecture before the people, replicating a tour of the city. He describes the objects and items for sale in the souk. He reminds Marwan of walks taken with his mother, but he excludes her from the letter by using “we” to only refer to Marwan and himself.