A whiff of jasmine Rose petals scattering Mighty pines dancing Bamboos swaying, dipping, snapping back Sunflowers gazing at their namesake in giddy worship. A windy spring day in Godavari. (April, 2011)

Last night was your birthday Forgot to tell my cousin to light a candle on your grave. DID I LOVE YOU ENOUGH DID MY WORDS HURT YOU YOUR SHADOW STALKED ME I PROMISED THERE WILL BE NO TEARS I remember your laughter as you sit in that corner of...

Along the walk to the InstituteThe Indian cork tree begins its silent shift.White, five-pointed stars rest on the pavement,not fallen, but arranged,as if the long night had paused hereto remember itself. Each blossom is a cool reprieverising through the warm...

How long to carry on this pretense That, yes, I am now fine Making believe that you are just away on another Of your many leavings But how to walk In the shade of the trees And the flowers on a path You loved and often...

We were all once born of the earth— keeper of her breath, kin to root and river, to feather and fur, to the anito, the diwata, and the taw’t talun, spirits who dwell around us. But that was before conquest, before the forgetting. The invaders came with the sword and the...

Sunday blessed peace from nothing— and nothing was a woman reduced to a child's love running after drunken anger letting go of nothing, again nothing— nothing was napping in the rainy afternoon, a hand held by nothing— like a bladder scar that said no puedo, estoy bien...

come to me in the high notes of an oboe amidst the din of a cafe turned concert venue for in your hands & vision every place can sacredly contain the tunes that let tears freely flow into one's cup or your goblet of red wine deficit concerts,...

I toss brand new socks back and rifle through drawers for solace and kindness The old ones surrender and smile at me the garters have given up they are indolent around the ankles while flesh peeps through threadbare cloth at the heels  Neckties hang in...

All that I've got is a sinful heart I am offering. What is it for a cloak in you that I wanted to be clothed in? Blessing is only for the poor, widowed and miserable. But there is a peeping hole even in the...

Let me, please I beg of you Let me catch the whiff of fresh air Against my cheeks The first ray of sunshine As new day breaks As it kisses the grass Green on my barefoot   Before it filters through The stained glass windows Bearing memories of a...

Being a woman is thrust upon you. You walk under stars and suddenly casually, make a fist in your pocket and hold your key—like a weapon. It is keen awareness of fabric length, and clenched assessment of skin, padlocks, mirrors, stopping cars, of home routes, and drink offers. Being a woman...

In celebration of the October 4 feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of the environment and all of God's creatures. Eyes follow the sound Ears scan the foliage Breath on hold Heart gripped still Mind wiped clear like the sky in the...