not here anymore

by sushant shrestha

I.

the one who,

slowly learned to talk

and stumbled on every walk,

is not here anymore

the one who,

cried on first day of school

and got scared in a three feet pool,

is not here anymore

the one who,

was hit by a cupid’s crime

and scribbled verses that almost rhymed,

is not here anymore

the one whose,

guitar had twelve strings

and wrote tunes that could hardly sing,

is not here anymore

the ones who,

dared to fall in love

and dreamt of castles with stars above,

are not here anymore

II.

the ones who,

sailed miles and miles apart

and had a solemn change of hearts,

are not here anymore

the one who,

discovered a whole new world

and questioned everything that was told,

is not here anymore

the ones who,

found magic once again

spent thrilling summers and icy rains,

are not here anymore

the ones who,

made love on the beach

and realized new depths that could be reached,

are not here anymore

the ones who,

crushed each other’s soul

and threw hearts in red charcoal,

are not here anymore

III.

the one who,

searched not knowing what to find

caught in sculptures of the mind,

is not here anymore

the one who,

did not know restraints

a part time sinner and a part time saint,

is not here anymore

the one whose,

soul had dark nights

till there appeared a blinding light,

is not here anymore

the one who,

slept last night in the bed

where womb of stars caresses forehead,

is not here anymore

the one who,

discovered mysteries that are blessed

and the dance of causeless auspiciousness,

is not here anymore

IV.

now,

in a blinking of an eye

both the reader and the one who rhymed,

“not here anymore”

are not here anymore

gone forevermore