A Memory With My Niece

By Safa Mahmood

her joy filled my room with light,

the golden hour contrarily turning bright.

how warm it felt to watch her eyes

move bird to bird amid the sky.

how soft to hear her scream

for me to come observe the scene

from which she could not pry her sight away;

feathers white, black, brown & grey,

a blue canvas artfully flecked,

a vivid memory—a flock, a grin—to recollect.

we named the birds perched atop the wires,

such silly names, god knows from where inspired.

she will remember ‘birrs’ dispersing in the sunset,

while her innocent excitement i will never forget.

i lifted her in my arms so she could better see,

& she lifted with her my spirits of melancholy,

each worry of mine took its flight,

her joy filled my heart with light.

By Safa Mahmood