Woods, by Maraam Pasha

The Stream, by Gustave Courbet (France) 1865

Woods 
 
I hear the crushing of leaves  
beneath my feet,  
as I proceed. 
I hear the birds twittering  
lovely morning songs. 
I smell the sweet whiff  
of fresh coloured flowers. 
I feel the dark, humid mud  
that has probably never been touched.
 
The gentle wind is making its way  
through my hair, my skin; my soul. 
I feed on this morning breeze. 
It somewhat makes me whole. 

Sunlight; filtering through thick leaves up above, amuses me. 
Butterflies chasing each other,  
playing hide and seek. 
I’m not sure if they are playing among themselves,  
or playing with me.  

I touch as many flowers as I can. 
Each one of them smiles back to me. 
I touch them and tell them that they are lovely. 
I want them to know that I cherish their beauty.
 
I leave my fingerprints in the mud, on the leaves,  
On the trunks of the trees. 
They will last there till the end of time. 
I leave them everywhere for  
the mighty wilderness to remember  
my love forever.  

Oh! I know that sound! 
It is of water running through rocks and logs. 
I can’t see it. It must be somewhere near. 
It might be behind that cliff. 
I cannot wait to feel its waves rushing to nowhere.  

The sunrays are hinting me  
towards my destiny  
on this clueless land. 
I see a long way ahead of me. 
I don’t know where it will take me to  
Maybe to a beautiful waterfall; or a deep pit.
I turn around and see my trail. 
It feels so beautiful to have stepped upon a land
that no foot has ever felt,  
to see the beauty, that no eye has seen,
To be among woods; that exist far away. 
I like them because they are not defined by their words. 
​They remain quiet and calm; in their places, and enchant their appraisers.

Maraam Pasha

Maraam was born in Lahore, Pakistan in 1999 C.E. She is earning her Bachelor’s degree in Accounting & Finance from National University of Pakistan. She has been published in The Ekphrastic Review. Maraam finds literature a way to connect with both herself and others. Her other interests include, photography, painting, music, travelling, baking, sculpting, etc.