Perhaps you are at peace,
or filled with wonder
and curiosity.

Perhaps your eyes burn,
seeing a world that is unclear
and slow.

Perhaps you imagine your sister,
calling your name so that you can return
to the carefree day above.

Perhaps you want to stay,
unmoving, heavy, gently sinking, and
wondering if anyone will notice.

Regardless,
you lift your body back up,
breaking the seal between
awareness and isolation.

Water that had weighed you down
is now humbled to mere drops,
stripped away by the cold air.

There is a sound to this feeling,
this return to clarity,
and you hear the transition
from nothing to everything.

It's the sound of the water,
surrounding your ears,
being replaced by air.

It's the sound of the hazy dream,
being swept away
by the reality of a sunny morning.

It's the sound of you, habibi,
whispering
bamoot feeki

It's the sound of being brought back to life.

There is not one more beautiful than thee
In the entire universe to be found.
You my darling mean the whole world to me,
I am ever thankful that you I found.
For me no other could there ever be
Whom I could love as much as I love you.
My heart and soul you have won completely
For all that you are and all that you do.
For your beauty far more than skin deep is,
You are wonderful in so many ways.
If one thing I love more about you 'tis
How you do brighten up all of my days.
Truth is I love the very bones of you;
I always have and I always will do.

Without you here,

I've been able to name stars after myself

And ***** my fingers on roses that I've planted in my own garden

I've read and written poetry because I have identified myself with confidence and happiness

And the throbbing constant ache is at a dull hum

I'm foliated sketches and the dog-earing of my favorite pages.

I am the prayer I say at night before bed and the gratitude I feel in the morning

And without you here,

I am still all of those and so much more

Without you here

I am so much more

I have been one acquainted with the night.
I have walked out in rain—and back in rain.
I have outwalked the furthest city light.

I have looked down the saddest city lane.
I have passed by the watchman on his beat
And dropped my eyes, unwilling to explain.

I have stood still and stopped the sound of feet
When far away an interrupted cry
Came over houses from another street,

But not to call me back or say good-by;
And further still at an unearthly height
One luminary clock against the sky

Proclaimed the time was neither wrong nor right.
I have been one acquainted with the night.