Ullu partitions the apartment in two—
a thin blue wall cutting the deserted hall.
Toys & books on our side,
refrigerator, sink & TV with our Auntie A.
She sends us rations throughout the day & we stay
separate, not allowed to cross. I’m ten
& haven’t been hugged in a long time.
Allah made a barrier between me & my mom.
Ullu makes a barrier between me & my aunt.
When he leaves we sit at the base of the blue wall
& I laugh loud so Auntie A knows
I’m alive & okay & she laughs loud so I know
she hasn’t left & we sit like this for hours, hands
pressed to the felt, laughing, laughing
unable to see each other.