By the Lake

Sitting at my door,

my departing soul,

aching once more,

I long for you all.

I long for your laughs, your giggles,

the fights, the lunches,

hot and cold nights,

sunrise and rain.

I hope never to depart again

sadness doesn’t run in your veins.

I long for Thamesmead Lake,

where the ducks, swans, and doves

became our dear friends,

small hands feeding bread,

graffiti bright on the walls,

feet dancing and spinning

in a frenzy of basketball.

I long for it all

myself as light as a cloud,

water everywhere breaking walls.

Not departed, but remained.

In every drop,

It’s me again!

My boat swings and sways,

the slide carries me away,

the tide draws me near.

You are my way, my deer.

I’m always near you,

my heart stays,

even when I’m far away.

By Najat Alshafie

8/8/2025

Drawing “A lake in a sunny day” by Najat Alshafie