Sandip Chauhan
Great Falls, Virginia, USA
wooden rafts
petals drifting aimlessly
in the stream
A plea passed along by a friend catches my eye: an urgent request for women’s clothing donations for Afghan refugees. I quickly search through my wardrobe, gathering whatever items I can spare. Clothes that have long been neglected suddenly gain new purpose as I carefully fold and bundle them together.
Carrying the bundle, I approach the designated drop-off location. I lightly tap on the door and a woman with flour-dusted hands answers with a smile. I hand her the bundle and say, “If you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ask.”
As I exit, I notice four children, gathered together in a corner, eagerly exploring the donated toys. One child is busy building a tower with colorful blocks, while another is engrossed in a game of make-believe with a doll. A third child giggles uncontrollably as they spin a toy top, while the fourth sits quietly, meticulously piecing together a puzzle.
burgundy rose
submerged in mire
spring fen