Persimmons

 

How long had it been?
No matter, as she grew,
she dreamt of children.

Even as an only child
born of an only child;
where she was in life,
she wanted girls.

Not just one - to raise as
an only child and still be
alone in one’s mortality.

It was a time of war
when first conceived.

The streets were grey
and rubble-filled
in stillborn drifts of snow.

She had conceived
during a time of war;
she knew she’d have a girl,

when prayers would echo
from ruins of rooftops,
for God is great
’Allah akbar’ in the smoke.

What a beautiful child,
born when there should be
flowers & ripe persimmons.

She knew she’d have a girl;
it was a time of war—
how long had it been?