Two Poems

by Khadijah Rice

A Feeling Beyond This World

If I had to explain my life-
The ins and outs of all that life gives- 
Many would relate

Growing in this world, 
being undermined, 
Controlled and dehumanized, 
To a point of healing. 
when the darkness fades and the water is clear, 
Then come waves. 
With no land in sight. 

Feeling lonely and abandoned. 
Drifting into the darkest part of life, 
Desires come in many evil ways. 
Where all that was near 
Becomes far through the darkened glass.  

Then there is a cry. 
A cry to comfort that is quick, 
Warmness that can last forever. 
When letting all control go, 
There is a feeling.
A feeling like someone is holding your hand always, 
And a hug that can always 
Make tears and warm the soul. 
Finding out that while drifting 
A rope was always there. 
All I had to do was call for help to pull it. 

Dream Goodbye   

In a dream, 
I saw you. 
With your long skirt and pretty hair. 
You were happy. 
You couldn’t wait to tell me, 
How the days are going to be sweet. 
Then I told you the truth. 
The truth that the days of school are done. 
Because of a virus, 
A virus that has been here for years, 
But now you are sad. 
Saying “I will miss you!”
Like… it was the first thing in your mind, 
But I didn’t say “I’ll miss you too!”
I walked away, 
Mad and sad. 
Finally looking at you, 
Saying “I will miss you too.” 
Knowing that you’ll never hear me, 
Because I am too far. 
I walked out the door, 
Then I was gone.

Khadijah Rice is a Junior majoring in business administration at Columbia College. With an interest in how different types of art tells a story, she explores new ways to combine business with creative expression in different types of art. While working on campus with the office of Civic & Community Engagement. This is her second publication.