A Modest Leaf(Love) Story, by Meerub Tariq
I raised my eyes to the heavens.
The wind’s opus of us
reached my ears.
I blushed.
We both wore green
My dupatta, the color of
my cheeks,
frolicked along the
wind’s orchestra.
It ushered me.
The clouds hung low
To witness our opera
Our hands met
You bowed to me
Gallant Masculinity
Showering me in
remnant diamonds of rain
I laughed and swayed.
The wind loosened a
few strands of hair
from my braid
and composed a veil.
I am your bride.
With fluttering eyes
I held your face
and brought it
close to my lips
clouds huddled close
wind’s beat dropped
I taste
my name
on
you.
Meerub Tariq is a 12th-grade student, writer, and aerospace engineering enthusiast from Pakistan. Her work has appeared in various literary journals, and she has co-authored several anthologies. Outside of writing, she enjoys reading, skating, and playing the flute. She recently made a preliminary asteroid discovery as a NASA Citizen Scientist. You can find more of her work on her website: meerubtariq.carrd.co and Instagram: @memeerub7
— Meerub Tariq
