National Poetry Month's 1st Place Winner, 2024

I remember the beautiful sound of Adhan that I used to hear five times a day

I remember the laughing sound of children in the hallways of apartments, I remember

walking under the long lasting trees on the sunny days coming back from school,

I remember the sounds of singing birds birds early in the morning to awaken us for Madrassas

I remember those days when we used to run away from the garden after chopping roses,

I remember those cold days when the city used to sleep under the blanket of snow,

I remember standing in the line for buying fresh warm Naan from the bakery when the winds 

were blowing,

I remember I was best friends with happiness, shouting with laughter, 

I remember the fresh smell after the rain, as if playing with my best friend, happiness,

I remember never wanting to say goodbye to the heart of Asia,

I remember I carried my beautiful box of memories with me, I remember my tears writing

the story of immigration, I remember not knowing how much I loved you until I had to leave

you, my homeland.