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Love, Loss and Memory

I Would Rather You

“A litany for the almost-chosen, the barely-kept.”

October 6, 2025 3 min read Poetry

I would rather you stayed a little longer,like night that hesitates before giving itself to dawn.

I would rather you spoke a little longer,so I might have something kinder to remember.

I would rather you looked a little longer,for your eyes were the place I ever felt known.

I would rather you laughed a little longer,so my empty heart could retrieve joy instead of grief.

I would rather you waited a little longer,where 'goodbye' still lingers, not yet fallen into truth.

I would rather you held a little longer,for letting go has torn something cannot mend.

I would rather you loved a little longer,for being wanted, but not enough is crueler thing than never,(for 'being almost chosen' is crueler thing than never).

I would rather you stayed a little longer,like dusk that hesitates before giving itself to night.

Dua Fatima
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