Afaf Zulfiqar: Favorites

XIII

Apr 2021 Afaf Zulfiqar

Ayesha

XIII

dusk wept vacant pink
and i in blue waters sank
purple, purple, kissed

then came forth a black mist

XI

Apr 2021 Afaf Zulfiqar

Ayesha

XI

then the sky stumbled
and towns before winds bowed; you
I, verses apart—

then the clouds gushed, gushed in vain

XII

Apr 2021 Afaf Zulfiqar

Ayesha

XII

the air hissed red and
branches, all bones, broke. outside,
our stars, silent, slept

beneath, the withered, silent, slept

IX

Feb 2021 Afaf Zulfiqar

Ayesha

IX

what of this trembling
a fire within, softly, wilts—
winter waits, she waits.

i and my ember heart