echoed circles irtaza abdullah khan

five years in and five more to go, life in loam and silent burrows. every winter, a dance with death, each tanda drains a precious breath.

summer days search castled cliffs, for small kernels and edible gifts. five at home and five more to come, hungry mouths — to survive or succumb.

variable vittles — unabashed pride, great leaps masked by tiny strides, alas, new days herald new hurdles, sorrow life lived in echoed circles. x

WORDS by IRTAZA ABDULLAH KHAN ART by LAUREN STEMPSKI CRAWFORD