Marietta
Past
I
February 5, 2023 2:59pm
Tick tock–
The clock struck 3 and the school day was over.
The February breeze roamed outside
My fingertips turning red
But my palm warm from holding my brother's hand.
We passed the grocery store
I bought us some spinach
To make mloukhieh.
As we entered
through the gates of protection,
of vulnerability
into our house,
The hint of roasted onions wandered its way into the living room.
My younger brothers giggling away their gossips.
The butter-soaked rice dissolved on my tongue.
I waddle like a penguin to my bed,
My belly, full of mouth-watering Mloukhieh.
My eyes close
Like a wave reuniting with the sea.
My brain walks over to flip the light switch,
Awaiting the next daytime adventure.
II
February 6, 2023 4:32am
The ground quaked for an entirety
10 seconds.
Time had stopped
but the earth was still rotating and in motion.
“I would not go out,
I would die here”
I was grabbing all my belongings and running outside my house… but…
I was still in my house watching cartoons with my little brothers.
I heard the voices.
shouting and crying.
Terror crawled up my body
This was only the beginning.
Present
May 25, 2023
The mosquitos fly their way into the tent,
The ants scurry their way around the pot full of rice.
The fans and wind
defeated by the raging sun rays.
Tick, Tock. 10 seconds.
The sweat drips onto my bare feet
and drools onto the tapestry.
Tick, Tock. 5 seconds.
The debris & dust
Drift into the airways of our lungs.
Tick, Tock. 2 seconds.
I’m here.
Not intentionally, but here I am.
Time is endless here, it haunts me.
Tick
Tock
Tick–
Inquiry is ceaseless here, where does it stop?
What will my next meal be?
When will I receive enough drinking water?
Will I be able to gain access to electricity and the internet?
Will I be able to continue my studies and finish high school and get into university?
Will I get a chance to live in a new home with my fiance?
There are so many questions
Which flood my mind.
I must contain tamed
Before anguish breaks loose.
Regardless, I know that in all of this darkness
There is light, and it will prevail.
Future
Date: Unknown
I’ve been pushed so many times,
I’ve turned into a cactus that drifts to find water to stay alive
But
I’m still here.
Maybe the world has given up on me
But
I’m still here.
I may not have enough water or medicine
But
I’m still here.
My cousin may have passed
But
I’m still here.
The Earthquake may have destroyed my home
But
I’m still here–
I’ll always be here.
So will
My fiance,
My mother,
My little brothers,
My neighbors,
NGOs & Charity–
And
You.
Hope isn’t like fire
Hope never fades
Neither will I.