“Saved from Summer” by Ayesha F. Hamid

She welcomed the end
of summer’s oppression,
the pressure under, over, everywhere
having cooked her from within.

In summer, the sun weighed
down, disheartening from dreams,
while the wandering, distracted mind
meandered, wished to be someplace else,
wished to be free, somewhere else
where she was listened to, was esteemed,
someplace else where she never had to fear
being suspect for being something
less than ideal. That place she wanted to welcome
on hot skin like a perfectly cool breeze.

“Girls on Trains” by Ayesha F. Hamid

Searching in cities, walking aimlessly,
looking for the past, she breathed in
remembering what she used to be,
believing, supportive, sweet.

Scanning faces futilely, she braced herself
for the realization that they really
weren’t the same faces though they appeared to be.
The ghosts haunting her wouldn’t easily
be excised, the torture of what could have been
will always continue to stay within.

“Love in the Twenty-First” by Ayesha F. Hamid

If someone isn’t rich,
find another with funds,
silver, diamonds, gold,
enough to see you through.
If he’s not cold enough,
with no head to fend off
the brutality of life,
then find a man who feels less
who does what he must, giving out
pink slips left and right. When she’s not
young enough, cut your ties, give a divorce
leave your first wife. Not skinny enough,
find someone thin, someone who fills the
metaphorical hole in your heart,
and who helps you fit in
for love’s never set in stone,
so go through as many as you need
till you find the one. Till you find
true love in the twenty-first.