Shadi Eskandani

fleeting

tremendous pain
a throbbing in her throat tightened
airway traps everything essential
words    sense of self.

under a blood moon
she grips her neck
hands clutching delicate skin
a reminder that all is not lost.

what remains when there is nothing?

she looks to the east
where shadows dance on concrete
and revels in this masquerade
curving her body to an onyx sky
welcoming an abyss of possibilities.

a cardamom breeze loosens
her clasp enough
for an inhale
as she repeats these words –
this too shall pass
this too shall pass