Someone Tell Me I Survived

you’re not the one leaving me
it’s just that this summer has turned
its back on us
yesterday
we were chasing each other on
gravel,
the rocks nicking our feet
through the thin fabric of 
flimsy sandals  
small
jagged
cadavers
scattered across
opaque
glass,
and when our wrists collided,
I saw
two 
copper
coins
coalescing
today
I wandered outside
dragged my heels
against the skin of
the road,
the sun
hanging on a pole,
tell me I survived

someone

tell me I survived
loving you
this–
saffron leather pearl freckles
mauve eyeliner sangria raisin
liquorice taffy sunflower shard,
in no particular order
just this, just this
cherry balm dainty petals
the ache, the want
the something
I could never have

imagine this, imagine

you walk into the water
limpid satin
the beach, the sea
evanescent,
and you’re afraid you’ll make it worse if
you swallow this dry
the urge, the wait
you tried and you’re tired
his eyes, his voice
aurora,
and all you can say is
love, lover
don’t you know
that I would cut myself in half
dig two graves,
and lie in them both
just to say
that I died next to you?

but you don’t,
not really
your nose is
under the water;
your mouth
has drowned.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

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Charles Avatar
March 28, 2026 at 1:29 AM
To truly love is to know suffering and to know love not is to suffer in vain. After reading this more than once this is what was echoing over and over in my mind and I'd personally prefer the former. Once again masterfully penned, Hiba "P
G  Avatar
February 26, 2026 at 12:05 PM
Wow great imagery Hiba! I love your word choices - really evocative - makes the reader think and feel deeply - excellent
Junaid Avatar
February 27, 2026 at 5:46 AM
Thank you so much, Laurentine! Glad you liked it <3
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