By Ayesha Siddiqa Khan
How does salt do it?
Lose itself completely
Imbue water with essence
Food with taste,
Pickles with fire?
Into the belly,
Emerging on the skin
Taste it on your lover,
Find it sweet and pure.
In the tears
It manipulates its need,
Too little, you want more
Lots and you’re bitter,
in the mouth, in your soul.
Air of coastal shores,
Dry beds of barren lakes,
Essential, insignificant
Yet, retains its identity.
The biggest question of all is,
When salt enters water,
What is its emotion?
To say a final goodbye?
Or give birth to an ocean?