Favourite things

By Kashish Fatima

A bronze frame around five smiling faces, on a desk lined with well-loved books, and my cactus, who I lovingly call “Fred”. / A room, quiet except for some much cherished laughter, dancing in the dark in my favourite green dress, and propping up my favourite stuffed gorilla on the bed. / A Turkish lamp, lighting up the jewellery strewn about, a half-written letter, the steam from a hot cup of coffee, and ink-stained fingers fiddling with some thread. / A walk by the riverside dotted with tulips on a warm, breezy day in late-April, and reminiscing fond memories, or kind words said. / A deep breath with my eyes shut, a reminder that it’s raining for a reason, the sad melody which makes me feel happy, and a run that clears my head. 

A call back home to say I’m doing well, to say that my head’s been hurting but it’s worth it, and that I am brave, and not afraid of dread. / A long to-do list with most things ticked off, a long-awaited drive in a car full of love, and ditching the shorter route with less people on it to smile at strangers instead. / A home-cooked meal, a table surrounded by love trapped in bodies, and chatting over shared garlic bread. / An escape to elsewhere, feeling lighter than I have in days, and eagerly awaiting all the beautiful stories in my life, waiting to be written, and waiting to be read.

Image: Jennylind2001 via Wikimedia commons.