You need darkness to see yourself.

The window was open and the wind was blowing the white lace curtains. I noticed my reflection on the glass of the dresser in the dark corner in her room, making me think that you do need darkness to see yourself.

DUST DAY BY AIDA KARANXHA BODE 34THPARALLEL MAGAZINE ISSUE 55

The empty house made me feel like the small fly of summer, lost and confused, buzzing to find shade and shelter. I had anticipated this moment, but never its loneliness, its absolute silence, and abandonment. The noise was gone now, all the commotion, the disbelief, the pain, the tears. Even the weather was sunny, the way she would have wanted it.

The window was open and the wind was blowing the white lace curtains. I noticed my reflection on the glass of the dresser in the dark corner in her room, making me think that you do need darkness to see yourself. There I was, a faint reflection of pale skin, hazel eyes, dimly pinked lips, and black curly hair.

The room behind me seemed like a one-dimensional blue, where wal…