Poetry by Ayla Baig

Edited by Gitsell Dominguez

I see it now;

My hindsight shows a backdrop I do not recall.

I suppose it’s from my forgotten past.

But I do recall you.

Stained blue

and colored hopeful—

yes, I recall your departure.

Everyone seemed to have

a piece of you;

cut from your finest parts,

leaving me empty-handed.

The absence of your

power—

it killed me, slowly, surely.

Swallowed my very soul.

But I craved you,

and the hope you once offered.

Did you think of me as you departed?

Or was your leave out of selfish needs?

Or did I choose to let you go?