Sometimes the sands rush down
sometimes they trickle
as though the hourglass
has control of time
this much for you
a little more for me
It’s a distraction
to watch too closely
to match your breath
or time your heartbeat
to the erratic sands
Better to leave a mark
on that far beach
for waves to wash over
and blot smooth—
invisible perhaps
but you’ll know
you were there
Sally Zakariya’s poetry has appeared widely and been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Her publications include All Alive Together, Something Like a Life, Muslim Wife, The Unknowable Mystery of Other People, Personal Astronomy, and When You Escape. She edited the poetry anthology, Joys of the Table. Her Blog:www.butdoesitrhyme.com.
