In early 2018, Asifa Bano was mutilated and killed in Kashmir by child rapists. She was especially beloved at the time. When she died, her mother addressed her as “a chirping bird, a deer, a darling of the community.” In a story about the young girl’s murder, her mother also called her “the center of our universe.” At the time, Asifa was eight years old. This poem aspires for her return so she might delight us with her joy, share her time with us.

To you, Asifa

Perhaps,
when you read this,
you’ll think of us.

I, was like you, too
I liked running away.

A tree near where you lived,
I see it,
We might have talked there,
About the places we’d go,
Shared secrets,
Imagined all we’d see.

I will think of you,
What will you think of me? Of us?

Pia Sawhney