The Archive of Us

By Gazala Ahmed

“Breaking News: Local Café Closes”

The familiar buzz fades,  

as chairs empty,  

and echoes of laughter  

float away.

“Stay Connected! #ThrowbackThursday”  

Memories flash—  

coffee-stained notes,  

shared glances,  

a moment frozen in time.

“For Sale: Vintage Record Player”  

Once a soundtrack to our lives,  

the vinyl spins slow,  

melodies weaving through the years,  

remnants of our favourite songs.

“Just Found This Photo”

A snapshot surfaces,  

smiles bright against the backdrop of yesterday,  

our lives intertwined,  

stories unfolding like petals.

“Reminder: It’s Okay to Feel”  

Each message a balm,  

a reminder of what was,  

the ache of absence,  

the warmth of nostalgia.

“See You Soon?”  

A question left hanging,  

like a sigh in the air,  

hope lingering in the spaces  

between words unspoken.

“Life Update: New Beginnings”

Paths diverge and cross,  

as we chase dreams,  

each step a story,  

each turn a chance encounter.

“The End of an Era”

As the café shutters close,  

we carry fragments,  

pieces of us tucked away,  

a mosaic of moments,  

never truly gone.

By Gazala Ahmed