From my mother I learned the basics, fundamentals: How to boil an egg. Sew a button onto a sleeve. How to stir porridge five to the right, then seven to the left, runaway specks clinging to the sides, hatched sea… Read More ›
Poetry
Scylla & Charybdis
Again I’m called upon to cleave the poppy from the stem the weight, the choice that isn’t mine to make, to take, forsake the one breast, for one who Cancer calls, cupidinous a fever creeping shore to sandy shore and… Read More ›
Hall Pass
“One may do anything,” Rilke told us daydream, dance, de-vein ourselves like so many shrimp, pink, puffy, parking themselves along the rim of glass highway, hitch-hikers crocking their knees at passing motorists. This is worthy, he tells us. This ambling… Read More ›
On Why I Am Not a Poet
A few years ago, I started going to a local poetry workshop. I was introduced to the workshop by a new friend who was himself an emerging poet. The group was small and friendly, and the meetings were structured around… Read More ›
Ras Chaval (Indian Chicken Soup)
Six parts water to three pounds bones the same bones bent over yesterday’s laundry the same laundry I did a week ago. The same week ago. Ginger-garlic fried to fragrant potency the same potency that lifts the senses, the spirits… Read More ›
જગા (Place)
Three by three by three I saw it every weekend at my grandmother’s house, a cupboard. Sometimes taller than me, soon enough, not, it sat outside my Masi’s bedroom, kitty corner from the long dining table where my grandfather held… Read More ›
The Anti-Resolution
It’s midway through February, and I have made no resolutions. But I have been thinking about all the things I would like to drop in 2017: Stress The delusion that this year (THIS is the year) I will be fit… Read More ›
Iphigenia
These are the stories that I was told. The softest petal draws the bee; the sturdy stem doesn’t. These are the stories that I was told. Beautiful night is silent; hush stars, the sun must sing. These are the stories… Read More ›
Anger/Anchor
Qiu Jin says anger/anchor I know this wide-legged stance Upright myself against rocking boat who wants to sink me, invisible me, smooth water over quick horizon undisturbed Qiu Jin says hold on They will unseat you tell you the Emperor’s… Read More ›
Eros
When you lay your hand on mine touch turns to caress fingers linger reluctant to leave Stay, I want to say, meet my breast, my lips come inside take tea with me Rest your length against mine knees to thigh… Read More ›