A Life Lived

I spent my childhood swaying on an antique wooden swing on my mother's terrace—

A hot cup of cardamom tea, 

Glass bangles, jasmine bracelets,

And the perfume of night-blooming flowers

Little fairy butterflies would kiss you softly with their delicate wings if you sat very still

The gentle sea breeze is still forever fragrant with the echo of this enchanted time

Somewhere in the distance,

I hear the faint melody of old songs and revelry

As another young girl leaves her memories behind to start a new story.

Beenish