The Paddock Review

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A Poem by Sofia Rakic

HALF AGAIN

 

There is a law that nothing is ever zero.

When you split something in half

and in half again,

there is always a half to split again.

Even if subatomic and scarcely there,

it will never be nothing.

I imagine you in your casket,

I remember touching it at your funeral.

I know that after we hugged the last time,

kissing the cheek three times,

a proper Balkan good-bye,

I never left your sweater.

My fingertip dust is somewhere

on your skin. Together we are

in half and in half again.

You are still here, in half

and half again, somewhere

you are in my hair,

touching the back in my head in church.

And under the cross which you are buried,

we are both there.

In half and half again.

…..

Sofia Rakic is a second-year law student at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law. Inspired by her undergraduate studies in philosophy and psychology, Sofia enjoys writing poetry that reflects on her religion, existence, and personal identity. As a Serbian American, her religion, family, and deep Balkan roots and cultural heritage informs her work.