By Marifa Khan

The respite of a tree amidst parching heat,

The embrace of a blanket during icy winds,

An umbrella’s simple refuge as it pours rain,

You were meant to be such a someone to me. 

Reminiscing the patter of excited footsteps,

With warm conversations and equally warm bellies;

If one were to paint a picture

We’d be perfect for a nursery wall.

Now, all that lingers is her lonely silhouette

Shaking with tears that remain just as forlorn;

In times like this, I wish freedom came easy,

So I knew the words to set her free.

I watch as her lips curl around vicious words

That have long since passed my ears,

Where did we go wrong, she screams,

Broken dreams scattered among liquor shards.

The desperate glint in her troubled eyes;

You’ll do well in life, my dear, my all,

She smiles, as strained as her grip on my arm.

In times like this, I wish freedom came easy to me.

Darkness overtakes the silent room

My hands fidget, do I bear another day?

The autumn wind brings in a melancholy tune;

The pains of a mother, it sings

And another child is lulled to sleep.