What always stays

What always stays

What always stays is not the footprint,
but the warmth of feet on wet sand.
Even after taking off the aged ring,
just the stark outline of the wedding band.

What always stays is not the fragrance,
but the recollection of a familiar scent.
Even though people turn into photographs,
they are always present in our present.

What always stays is not emptiness,
but blanks filled with moments abound.
Even though the loving voice is now silent,
the joy remains in the memory of the sound.

What always stays is not loneliness,
but the gift of someone’s precious presence
Even though we unvalued them while they stayed,
we regret their lifelong disappearance.

©2023 Taruchaya.

Perhaps

Perhaps

Perhaps she was born on a rosy day
Perhaps she made everything bright
Perhaps she gave the blossoms a peachy blush
Perhaps she dreamt of lavender stars at night
Perhaps her youth was a lively pink
She must have glowed like a heavenly sprite
Perhaps she chose love as it was burnt scarlet
and her broken heart scattered violet twilight
Perhaps her tears merged with the inky sky
Perhaps hope was truly out of her sight
Perhaps she found solace in the black emptiness
she breathed her last – an untimely demise

Yet in the end, her pale shell of a body
was wrapped in crimson silks so ornate
She took with her all the pain and despair
leaving only traces of her ashen heartache.

©2023 Taruchaya. All rights reserved