It was sweet, It was soft, It was subtle, Like scattered petals, Like forgotten feathers, Like dewy leaves, Under my bare feet. Under my bold fingers. Under my burnt lips. So soothing So welcoming So mesmerizing Like the zephyr in the chimes Like the sunset through the foliage Like the trickle before the rivulet. Flow, glow and whirl. It’s almost like a bedtime story. It’s almost like a lullaby. It’s almost like a farewell…. Unspoken. Unbidden. Unsent. Before you leave, Hold me. Lull me. Breathe me. Before you leave. Let me take your hand. Hold your neck. And whirl. Hush, Hold my waist, And whirl. No promises. No words. No sighs. Just that soundless music. Your heart My heart And all that could have been. Thank you. For the new melody, For the new stories For the new moon. A fresh gust of wind. A fresh peal of laughter. And a new step in my dance. No tears, No tearing, No pleading. No touching, No speaking, No hoping. I told you love, We don’t belong to each other. The mountains keep on rising between us. The sea keeps on roaring between us. The desert keeps on stretching between us. And the wind, Pulls me off that summit. And the wind, Pulls me out of those waves. And the wind, Pulls me out of this mirage. And back to my stone tower. And back to my winding stairs. And back to my library of memories. Where I belong.
But my face remains smooth.
But my voice never wavers .
But my stance never crumbles.
This one with sweet words
make my heart skip a beat.
make my eyes swim
make my soul sink.
In the remote wood let me remain.
In the alpine crest let me remain
In the sleepy creek let me remain.
Unseen.
Unspoken to.
Untouched by heartbreak.
Far from any of them,
Only with your ghost.
Maybe I’m already dead.
Maybe I’m already rusted.
Maybe I’m already scattered.
Why else would I remain basking in a memory
and running away
and scattering away
and blowing away
as soon as someone approches.
I could melt
I could enwrap
I could open my heart.
But I don’t.
Never,
ever
ever.
Unless it’s you.
Layla Ali Sultan 