Digital publication | Page 19

expiration date 

{Navami M.}

People come and go  

Didn't you say you knew me from another life, 

Back when we didn't exist?  

When we hear our names called, we turn,  

Just to see 

Nothing. No one. A mirage of sound, traveling 

From the empty depths of the great oceans 

Of the mind, our minds, my mind,  

Infinity stretching past the farthest stars, reaching 

 

For something that might exist.  

When you look straight into their eyes, but 

They’re looking at someone, something past you  

Staring into the far distance, the cogs of their minds at work 

Thinking of everything but you  

When you think something's fluttering in your stomach, 

But it's just hunger. You're always hungry, no amount of bread 

Can satiate your immense appetite, the rumbling of your stomach, 

Interrupting unknown conversations 

But years pass, and you're full, no longer hungry 

Your stomach does not growl as it used to  

 

On a rainy day, we hold umbrellas over our heads,  

Laughing like we used to, students once again

Maybe someone slapped us today, yelled at us till our ears burst,  

Drew on our hands, phone numbers and times, reminders  

Of something that will exist. 

12