We wear the hues of Autumn
in our steps, glow as phoenixes
until the inevitability of death.
Our lives have written lines into
our skins, eras under our eyes
grow like tree rings.
We tremble at the tickle
of a slight zephyr, another step
another sprain closer –
Until, we are swept
into a pile of graves
The past composts future days:
In a Gallery of Reckoning,
exposed. We, Hawa’s Children
collect leaves as clothes.
When the earth feels the touch
of the last falling leaf,
we stand like bare trees.
No roots to save us
falling
to
our
knees.
Aaliyah is an accomplished performance poet who is currently committed to improving her written work. She is a studying towards a Masters degree in Education, the field along with literature, she believes has the most potential for social change.