Poem “What Lies Beyond” by Z.R. Ghani

photo by Andrew Neel

What Lies Beyond

The sound of brawling crows
that the rustle of London
leaves unbroken

ravages my attention. I put down
my book and gaze at the mist
beyond the white frame of my window.

If only the familiar trees were visible,
as if easy to fold away like cut-outs
for a scrapbook, never used. 
In my mind, the trees can be scraped 
back like hair to reveal a window.

If only I could wipe away what I see:
the woman-shaped abyss behind
the glass, black flies – deranged blades – 
snipping at potted mint on the sill. 
Her hesitant mouth opens then shuts;  
I wait for wisdom that never comes.

Bio: Z. R. Ghani is a ‘Best of the Net’-nominated poet from North London, UK. She has a BA in Creative Writing from Bath Spa University. Zaina’s poems have appeared in Magma Poetry, Black Bough Poetry, The Willowherb Review, Square Wheel Press, Bind Collective, Hazel Press, and The Adriatic. —
Z.R. GhaniAuthor and poetBA Creative Writing (Hons), BA Creative Arts (Hons)Instagram: @z.r.ghani