A lover asked his beloved,
Do you love yourself more
than you love me?



The beloved replied,
I have died to myself
and I live for you.



I’ve disappeared from myself
and my attributes.
I am present only for you.



I have forgotten all my learning,
but from knowing you
I have become a scholar.



I have lost all my strength,
but from your power
I am able.



If I love myself
I love you.
If I love you
I love myself.

My childhood’s blissful ignorance of the speed of time

A momentary flashback to a memory; as simple as an everyday glance: enough to bring tears to my eyes.

And there I stood, observing her face,

A gush of relief came over me
At peace at last.

No rushed breathing,
Worried face.
Just peace. Stillness.

But it was alright.
What?
It was alright.
This train of thought couldn't be mine.

I realised, if this is what death is, I am less afraid.

Overnight,
it was as if the fear ran out
Like sand winding through a sieve.
A youth
suddenly to be felt,
a decade too late.
A world to observe,
Without heart palpitations and clammy palms.
How does one cope with having a body
whose norm is to be on high alert.
To always think the worst first.
I was a girl
who needed to understand that the world meant her no harm.

Today is one of those days
where I could weep any minute.

Where it feels as if my soul has been laid bare,
and anything can touch it.

The thought of you not being here
to comfort me in these times,
makes it almost unbearable.

How I wish to see you on the other side.