I didn’t know it would hurt
When I had to say goodbye before I was ready
I didn’t know it was going hurt
When you left before I said I love you
I didn’t know it was possible
To feel growing pains
When friends and lovers
Move away
To different states
To different life stages
I didn’t know growing pains
Included spurts of wisdom
And tantrums
Childhood voices
Saying
“I’m still here”
“Do you see me”
“I need your attention please”
I didn’t know grief looked like:
Wondering about another world
Where we met earlier
Where my life was filled with joy
Before heartbreak and the balms of ibadah
I didn’t know loss looked like
G R O W I N G U P
Blinking and being throttled into adulthood
Making big boy decisions
Asking big girl questions
To God Do We Belong
Return Us To Our Loved Ones
Ya Rabb
Protect Them
Honor Them
Hold Them in compassion and comfort
Wrap them in your warmth
Mark them with your mercy
(2:156)
Truly, to Allah we belong and truly, to Him we shall return
