CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Visit waxpoetryart.com to explore poetry
(including haiku
and spoken word),
visual art,
photography,
play,
and fiction
submission opportunities.
Experience the thrills of the Weekly Poems Contest.
--
January 15th, 2026
by Ayaana Rahman
We sat by the river, The water striking the marbles – washing them clean. I gave you the red one, and mine was green. The red was lucky and green was free, The sun never set for us until we climbed the olive tree. We played for hours, And time slipped by. The airstrikes weren't enough To make us say goodbye. And the night grew colder, Darker as they fought, over the land of prophets and prayers. The jasmine wilted in the smoky air, And the land that we call home was lost to bombs and flares. The next morning, you never came to play I looked for you for hours, through smoke and grey And found you under rubble. I whispered your name, but my heart began to stumble. I placed the red marble in your hand, though it lay still and cold, The same one you swore would bring luck, when we'd grow old. The streets are quiet, And time has stopped But they're still fighting, In the name of God. I ran along the river, down to the creek. I couldn't bear the pain of you wrapped in a white bed sheet And the sun finally set, As I climbed the olive tree but this time, no one with me. Tears roll down my face, still I said – I saved you the red marble, So that we could play – not for hours, but for days. I saved you the red marble, but they broke you instead.
About the Poet
Ayaana Rahman resides in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Read the poet's biography and Young Poets World publications
on Ayaana Rahman's Artist Page.
Young Poets Collection
This poem is also featured in
Young Poets Collection #1,
published in the Young Poets World Library.
Keywords: childhood innocence, war, friendship, love
Previously published in Young Poets Magazine:
Veins
by Regina Chae
Young Poets Magazine is part of Young Poets World and waxpoetryart.com.
- Visit the Young Poets World Submissions page to see all opportunities.
- Visit the Young Poets World Library.
- This website and all contents ©Kirk Ramdath and specified artists.
- AI training is not permitted on this website.
(Advertisements)