When your sky lights up by Esha Volvoikar

When your sky lights up 

after Refaat Alareer

let it

                                                                                               only

                                                                                be fireworks

                                                                           as if red tatreez

                                                                         embracing you

                                                                       from god’s abode

                                                                      let the flour only

                                                                    turn into bread just

                                                                  in time for maghrib

                                                                 let thunder descend  

                                                            so that children return

                                                         home from the heavens

                                                      let the rain pour down

                                                 and grow orchards of olives

                                                 let rivers flow with poppies

                                                     let Gaza’s salty shores

                                                      fly thousand white kites

                                                        let the walls crumble

                                                           so you can build

                                                           back your home

                                                              let life enter

                                                              this homeland

                                                              You must live

                                                                   to swim

                                                                     in your

           free

                                                                         sea

Esha Volvoikar was born and raised in Goa, India and studied English Literature and Creative Writing at the University of Warwick. Her poems have been published by Renard Press, Ink Sweat & Tears, and Young Poets Network. In addition to poetry, she also writes creative nonfiction and short fiction.