Plant A Tree On My Grave

By Seher Pokhariyal

Ammi Jaan's parting words were—

'Plant a tree on my grave, Rafi

the wildflowers

the hedges

the wind

the trees

have always been

my ever-humble companions

the most selfless friends i will ever know;

let them grow around and about

let me dust in their embrace

let them crush my bones

so I can give back and become whole—

let me rest in the midnight garden

amongst pristine magenta buds,

spotted patches of anemone,

and the whispers of my ancestors

carried by the soft, sepia-tinted

sunset breeze.

There,

in the company of

a familiar crow,

doused by the slumber brew

of the nightingale's song,

I will gather herbs.'

By Seher Pokhariyal