Home

By Raidah Shah Idil

sit beside me, little ones

unfurl your hands and let me

read the constellations on your palms

the dewdrops of your innocence, paid for by

the blood of those who came

 

before

 

you, three tiny souls

burrowed deep, heartbeat to

heartbeat – grew, thrived, birthed

upon the waves of my pain

ancient, knowing eyes

 

every day

 

I was born thirsty

 

into pain, carried across generations

cut from my roots

grew in hostile soil

you are my home now

 

teach me

 

how to breathe

swallow light

let go

hope

love

 

come

 

walk Home with me

may we sip, gently

cool, deep waters from the

hands of our Beloved

 

and never thirst again.

 

Raidah Shah Idil earned her BA in English and BSc in Psychology from the University of New South Wales. She is based in PJ, Malaysia.