Traces of Sand
Aysha Qazi
We were forged from glass.
They heated our earth until it
melted into their palms like
Play-Doh in a child’s hand.
With blue lips they blew gray
clouds into our skies, and told
us to dance. Umbrellas above
their heads, they colored our rain red.
It scalded our skin; it made a mess of
the castles built with sweltering sand.
They said if you move, you’ll shatter
from the core and cracks will make
their way to your edges until there is
nothing left but shards of history
and their puncture wounds.
They stole from our flags—
a star and a hollow crescent moon,
filled our lungs with fire,
the rooms of women with darkness,
and tents with children until schools collapsed
like us when they pushed us to our knees,
silenced our tongues, asked
Where is your God
—in the space between the ground
and our bruised foreheads,
—in the seconds between our final breaths,
and just like our fates,
We were forged from glass.
Aysha Qazi is an undergraduate senior at the University of Maryland pursuing a major in computer science and a minor in creative writing. She was born in Pakistan but has spent most of her life in Maryland, where currently resides. After graduating, Aysha hopes to begin a career in technology as well as continue her writing. She draws inspiration from her own experiences and relationships, the enduring struggles of minorities, and the complexities of nature and her dynamic environment. Aysha looks forward to sharing her work in hopes to inspire and connect with readers.Aysha Qazi is an undergraduate senior at the University of Maryland pursuing a major in computer science and a minor in creative writing. She was born in Pakistan but has spent most of her life in Maryland, where currently resides. After graduating, Aysha hopes to begin a career in technology as well as continue her writing. She draws inspiration from her own experiences and relationships, the enduring struggles of minorities, and the complexities of nature and her dynamic environment. Aysha looks forward to sharing her work in hopes to inspire and connect with readers.