Now war has entered our lives

By Tazeen Razi

“Remember when…?”

Conversations began

Like that, past the twilight hour,

The morn rang in silent chimes

Of peace

And frilled words

Were but impossibilities.

The night was just nigh

But never there —

The day was a way

To put flowers in your hair.

Remember when

Boxed contraptions never yelled

Numbers without names,

Dying places calling out

To be saved —

Directions to roads

That were never paved.

The world was just a world;

The people, only human

A life was just a life

Bereft of any demon.