Poem: Ephemeral

On the shores of the Euphrates

At a time when no one else was there

And fluttery pari roved the air

You sauntered along the riverbank

And weaved through the blooming trees

Like a fragrant spring breeze

Little did I know

That you

So elusive

So fleeting

Would be here to stay

But I

So resolute

So smitten

Would be the runaway

On the shores of the Euphrates

At a time before the fajr prayer

And when jinn brought nightmares

I slipped along the dirt-paved paths

And fled along that riverbank

I did not do so with ease

Little did you know

That he

So dreary

So undeserving

Would be the one you’d wed

And I

So ashamed

So regretful

Would race back to you

On the shores of the Euphrates

At a time when the village slept without a care

And crooked bandits laid out snares

You escaped the clutches of your husband

And ran steadfast into my arms

Like an eager autumn breeze

Little did we know

That we

So entwined

So blissful

Would be ripped apart

And him

So vengeful

So cowardly

Would silence the wind itself

On the shores of the Euphrates

At a time when Sufis twirled and flaired

But when he was in despair

He slaughtered us in our home

So we left to a realm beyond the riverbank

Like an escaped summer dream

Pari* = fairy

Fajr*= morning prayer

Jinn*= spirits, often demonic

Sufi*= Mystics who dance