(three)

by nooshin azadi

illustration by rhoda penmarq

. they were still watching the river that flowed in two directions i stood by them and put the mirror in front of them this time they didn't close their eyes they simply started to look eagerly i found myself confident enough to caress their coarse bark suddenly the river dried up soundlessly and scorching winds began to blow none of us ran for shelter from the heat i felt wings flapping in my head .