English corner

Orbit

You've been my orbit,

always have been

and I've loved you for it.

My universe resolved around you

circling circling

closer to you.

The universe has blown up,

expanded, shrunk,

crumbled up like wet paper.

I thought I had lost you

just because things changed so much.

Changing doesn't mean losing I've learnt.

You're still my orbit

I still love you

even if my universe has expanded

I'm circling circling

slower and richer for it all.

Sand

The first step sinks in deep, sand rushing around her ankles, warm and familiar, like the firm grasp of a good friend. She wiggles her toes, buries them deeper and with her hands dangling to her sides, she looks down ahead of her. The dune stretches out before her, steep. The land rover stands far away to the left, it looks so small, mum standing next to it, probably watching her. Cardamom and copper, the air is brisk. Wind tossing her hair, throwing the laughter of her siblings up to her.

She sits down, the sand trickles through her fingers, slowly, again and again. Breathe in, breathe out. Grains of sand trickle through her fingers, unhurried. W bitramad 3ineha. Breathe in, breathe out, sand trickles. Hands dug in, sand moving in new piles, shifting, obeying her command. Breathe in, breathe out. It is a cushion, soft and welcoming, embracing and comforting, asking you to nestle yourself against it. The sand is warm, she flattens it with her palms. Sand, how many years have you seen? Of what have you come? She picks up the grains like salt, lets them fall one by one. The sand engulfs her, yet remains secluded for itself and falls off of her the moment she decides it shall. Sand trickles, breathe in, breathe out.

She stands up, both hands knock off the remains on her trousers, her open hair is flying back gently, the wind likes to play. Toes reemerge, one last deep breath and she puts one foot ahead and lets her body fall into the steep. Her feet need to catch up against gravity and the race begins. Flying, she is flying, blood rushing, sun rays and cars honking and vendors yelling, masses of people, people, people, her feet exhilarating, pounding, pounding, flailing, she's abandoned control and she can't stop grinning, eyes wide open with thrill, she's pumped, bursting with it all, faster faster. The sand rises behind her, applauding her speed.

Her feet struggle to keep up with gravity but just before she topples, the dune comes to a soft slope and she regains her balance, feet galloping with control again, slowing down, slower, slower, catching breath, coming down to a walk and she heaves, inhales deep, cardamom and copper, her face ablaze with delight.