For Shagufta

And then there were words,
Just ink blots on paper,
Just effervescent thoughts
Afloat on the silence of time,
Words have no power,
Neither do I.
Your words
And mine
Our words intertwine
But come to naught,
For all that I can say has been said before
And all that you suffered was yours alone
I can offer words,
To soothe what is not there
To alleviate what is now clear
Words have no power,
Neither do I

(RIP boss)