tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20986354659700793322024-03-18T12:03:40.411+09:00The Sunflower CollectiveUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger444125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-56180665254440533082024-03-08T16:16:00.001+09:002024-03-08T16:17:10.875+09:00New | Poetry | Sudhendu Chattopadhyaya <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFUAXbKLru1_RsVezDyaV8y3BH_nZg6I7yOXR92DfuWqWaIFLd7JO-ptqXbJ8J-P8OTWs88vAYTw8rMRMTyGkOSvUqNZXjM7I7jw8IY_cThMnyInyiUPevMUNAJws2vAbUGaVuiFJv-zZciGvE5rfRZWLHoV5-gYzdEZg_yk1E3HT2KLjlKfISC8yKW2T/s3169/_Fantastisch_-%20Artmadeus.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3169" data-original-width="2490" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXFUAXbKLru1_RsVezDyaV8y3BH_nZg6I7yOXR92DfuWqWaIFLd7JO-ptqXbJ8J-P8OTWs88vAYTw8rMRMTyGkOSvUqNZXjM7I7jw8IY_cThMnyInyiUPevMUNAJws2vAbUGaVuiFJv-zZciGvE5rfRZWLHoV5-gYzdEZg_yk1E3HT2KLjlKfISC8yKW2T/s320/_Fantastisch_-%20Artmadeus.jpg" width="251" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Fantastisch by Artmadeus, Wikimedia Commons</span></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><br /></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Neemrana</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Past the tangled lanes and
by-lanes</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Of cities meshed with life and
loneliness,</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Across the dust and dunes,</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Past the havelis of old</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">That shimmered in the noon sun,</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">And stood with a quiet
abandonment</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Of a voided grandeur,</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Our roads finally met.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">We smiled at each other</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Like parched pilgrims looking at
a mirage.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The Neemrana, and the setting
sun embraced us...</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The roses, the luscious greens
and villas of bougainvillea</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Sheltered us under its canopy</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The chasms too,</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">with their eons of promises</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">settled around our lips</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">as if to be invoked</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">and be remitted.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">Yet when the Azaan called,</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The dervishes smiled too;</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">And the chirpings hushed down.</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">The desert had its bliss,</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: georgia;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">As the sand soaked in the
ephemeral rain</span><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="font-family: georgia;">And went dry again...</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt; margin: 4.5pt 0cm;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt; margin: 4.5pt 0cm;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt; margin: 4.5pt 0cm;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt; margin: 4.5pt 0cm;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt; margin: 4.5pt 0cm;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The Nightingale</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt; margin: 4.5pt 0cm;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt; margin: 4.5pt 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt; margin: 4.5pt 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">You
crept into my dreams,<br />
wearing a white sari,<br />
with shy eyes, singing around the garden.<br />
I was unprepared.<br />
You took me by a start.<br />
As I opened the studio door,<br />
I became the voice I had always wanted to be.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt; margin: 4.5pt 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">It had
to be in a single take they said.<br />
The director and the crew were in action<br />
behind the hazed glass panes.<br />
I just knew the design as I stepped in.<br />
They had laughed and scorned at me.<br />
They had said that I sang in a female voice,<br />
I copied Lata Mangeshkar.<br />
I denied, defended and changed.<br />
I mimicked the men.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt; margin: 4.5pt 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">One
couldn't sing in a dream...some say,<br />
one couldn't follow the words.<br />
In my dream, defenses were broken.<br />
The fake, female merged in you.<br />
I didn't have to prepare.<br />
I was You.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt; margin: 4.5pt 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Alta </span></i></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">(The Red Dye) (Bengali: </span></b><b><span face=""Nirmala UI",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">আলতা</span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">,
Hindi: </span></b><b><span face=""Nirmala UI",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">अलता</span></b><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">)</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The
sharp outline of your Adam’s apple,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The
thick baritone, the small dip of your chin,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I wanted
them to look at my breasts</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">through
my eyes, down into the pit of my lust.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">But they
looked away when you spoke to me.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I
clutched at your kindness.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In a
hope that someday you will relent,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I
fashioned love.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">You
played the friend,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I, the
beloved.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In this
deception, only coercion stayed.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">On the
stranger's bed, glistened in rage, grief and sweat,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I
celebrated impropriety.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I winked
with a smile when he said, "Keep in touch, Slut-man!"</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Walking
down the empty streets, I mused at my karmic cycles</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And said
to my shadows, “How long?"</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">In the
dream, I saw myself decked in fresh <i>gajra</i>,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">the
red <i>bindi</i> and the red <i>alta</i>,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Adorning</span><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> the
entrance of your house with words.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">When I
looked at you,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">You were
smiling admiringly, standing on the <i>verandah</i>.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">When I
turned back to look at the <i>alpana</i>,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The <i>mogra</i>s
lay shredded and scattered</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">along
with the litter of letters and papers from my diary...</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 4.5pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 4.5pt; margin: 4.5pt 0cm;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: #1d2129; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><b><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Septicaemia</span></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I had tried to think of you</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Wrapped in thick blankets,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Reduced to a yellowish pulp</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Of wet wrinkled skin and bones,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Waiting with soft breaths...</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I was said to come,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And witness the final drones</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Of the ventilator.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Ticket in hand,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Anxious and nerved up,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I waited, to respond to your
call,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">To alleviate the lethargy of
wait,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">To see those pupils talk,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">To soak in all the moments in
one embrace,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">To finally travel to you all by
myself,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Praying and praying</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">and the train whistled in.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The independence was sensual,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And quietness arousing.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I slumbered into my polar
thoughts,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Till the <i>hijras</i> clapped
me awake.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I sat ensconced between hope and
acceptance.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Till the wheels finally
screeched into Howrah.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">No one had come to receive me.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I drifted amid the crowd to
catch the local.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">It wasn’t so difficult to get it
right.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">As, it commenced sluggishly, I
braced myself</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">To announce my bravery.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">The bogey was packed with
bodies.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">A guy standing opposite,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Moved up close to me.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">He had sharp bones and a kink
about his eyes.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">He pressed against me with a
carefree confidence.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">His hands grazed my body and
felt my virgin shyness.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">His breath on me, I was
benumbed.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">He moved sleekly away through
the crowd, leaving me undone.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">My landing came. I stepped into
my accomplishment.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">I was surprised to see Baba
walking up to me in the crowd.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Dusk had fallen over Bally.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">Baba said that the cremation
just got over,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">That you were bedecked
beautifully,</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;">And many had come to see you
off.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IN; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-18453186842138300582023-10-14T16:09:00.001+09:002023-10-14T16:09:56.764+09:00New | Poetry | Lina Krishnan <p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDYtDo_IB1nYwH2c9GlV6RuH3tBIvxZUC63bgEyBZWgpIqZgmw7cov5h53k69HNVSs1C-I_HI9wiYfV-tzxIVZCL5JRBaCrPCSn8_6qFbR1hSKmKRyeHuOWIvCvfa02gmhYcnuHII2q5pIpJtWYB81Jhh3ODFaN3lLtHZQEMgKmpZ5Ct2dYXoKAe2CbCE/s1024/BERNARD_Emile,1887_-_Pont_de_Fer_%C3%A0_Asni%C3%A8res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="873" data-original-width="1024" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPDYtDo_IB1nYwH2c9GlV6RuH3tBIvxZUC63bgEyBZWgpIqZgmw7cov5h53k69HNVSs1C-I_HI9wiYfV-tzxIVZCL5JRBaCrPCSn8_6qFbR1hSKmKRyeHuOWIvCvfa02gmhYcnuHII2q5pIpJtWYB81Jhh3ODFaN3lLtHZQEMgKmpZ5Ct2dYXoKAe2CbCE/s320/BERNARD_Emile,1887_-_Pont_de_Fer_%C3%A0_Asni%C3%A8res.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Painting by Emile Bernard (Wikimedia Commons)</td></tr></tbody></table><br />My MIL’s Address Book</span></b></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Archana heads the list. </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Her number doesn’t though</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">It finds a place, under S - her nickname</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Her Doctors - Murlidhar and Gauri</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Are mentioned under their respective capitals</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Being decades older than them</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">She feels she owes them no appellative</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">I look in vain for my name among the Ls</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">I find it elsewhere, below her son’s name</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">And then, there’s Bhag Diwan</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Her late husband’s late sister</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Less than a year ago, she was at the other end of the phone</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Now a barbed wire crosses out her name in the book</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Replaced tidily, by the name of the son </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Who lives at that address now</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Portraits</span></b></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">On the Metro’s Purple Line</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Tired even on a Sunday </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Faces from an Eisenstein deck</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Van Gogh’s farm workers</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Now driven from the Land</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">One in particular, a figure all in white dust</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Two days worth of paint in a day</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Dead tired, half dazed. </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">I look. And look away, too late</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">He has seen, that I have seen</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><i>Safedi walla</i>, house painter in white</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Like Michelangelo in marble dust</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Brothers under the skin</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Or rather, above it. </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Showstopper</span></b></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">The lone <i>shiuli</i> wonders</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Why it’s been singled out</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Not in the little basket </span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">With the rest of its kin</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Not cognisant at all</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">With the perils of the spotlight</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Of how loneliness colours that terrain</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Even if the photograph</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">That is being taken</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Is only for a friend</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Homesick for the<i> shiuli</i> season</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">And much else, unsaid</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Anda Bhurji</b><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">JNU on a rainy evening<br /></span><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">We look about us<br />When last, did we students from DU</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">See a forest glisten?<br /><br />Against a conversable twilight<br />We unfurl shyly<br />In a sizzling pan, random kindness<br />Meets surprised enjoyment<br /><br />Not so, do you expect<br />A Menshevik tutorial<br />After hours, to go<br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><b></b><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Bandicoot Tunnels</span></b></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">The garden is a warren</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Each morning shows newer dugouts</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Strategic bunkers for rodent war</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Or is it just a nightly commute?</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Put in a beer bottle or two</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">I’m advised. Glass keeps them out</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Oh a teetotaler rat, I think</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">My mind off-kilter as usual</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">It’s a neat, punctuated row</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Along the garden wall</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 19px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">I navigate, in mind's eye</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">The hundred-plus tunnels</span></p><p style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">On the Kalka Shimla line</span></p><p><span style="color: #888888;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"></span></span></p><p style="color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">That too, is narrow gauge</span></p><p style="color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p style="color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Bio: Lina Krishnan has w</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: garamond, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">orked two decades in communications. She has phases of immersion in art, then poetry. She also writes notes on cinema. She lives in Auroville, India.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: garamond, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"> </span></i></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-50402180104378750012023-09-12T12:48:00.005+09:002023-09-12T17:41:31.157+09:00New | Novel | Serialised Fiction | Junk Days | Part 2 | Abhimanyu Kumar <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyz4YWezGoeuLzcrhNRdBVjy6S0-C899Jcoigw-rRkCXHScsUN1GSUP7ZHDMh0MXOPsDXPUkl6fEdrEYnpy5pEw_sYPXLTXA0LYEqL-Wgm4gmqeVWPIlqg4a9KYTeygFXTErdr-PPKkl4s6djacqoHBAv_gOGRvJ5GLZCae0xuPHPuYdqUeuw866jY3ct/s3264/Ben_Sutherland_-_16562901782.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWyz4YWezGoeuLzcrhNRdBVjy6S0-C899Jcoigw-rRkCXHScsUN1GSUP7ZHDMh0MXOPsDXPUkl6fEdrEYnpy5pEw_sYPXLTXA0LYEqL-Wgm4gmqeVWPIlqg4a9KYTeygFXTErdr-PPKkl4s6djacqoHBAv_gOGRvJ5GLZCae0xuPHPuYdqUeuw866jY3ct/s320/Ben_Sutherland_-_16562901782.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mural on socialist liberation by Jack Hastings</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">When I first went to the JNU, I knew nothing about communism. Or
politics for that matter. Communism was dead, I believed. After the fall of the Soviet regime etc. Ofcourse, Bengal and Kerala had communist governments but
elected ones, not through a revolution, and those governments functioned well
within the Indian constitution so their being communist was not overt.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It took me a week to get a room allotted. Till then, I stayed with
someone in Narmada hostel. My elder sister already studied international relations
there. It was through her that I got a place to stay. She was a big influence in my deciding to write
the JNU entrance. She would come back home in vacations and tell us about the
place. It seemed positively enchanting, the freedom: going out at nights
and all for someone from a small town where everyone slept at 9 and going out
meant occasional dinners with parents. Also, I had very low marks in my plus 2
and it was impossible to get into any college, forget a good one.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">After I was allotted a room in the newly built Mahi hostel, I went to
check it out. It was filled with people, hotly debating something. I told them I
was the new occupant of the room. The information was received in silence. A
thin guy stood up. Prakash, he introduced himself. He was the original
occupant. It was a double-seater. Another guy was living there, along with
him, unofficially. And others also slept there at times, in true JNU tradition.
Later on, I would also have 8 people sleeping in my room at times. Of course,
like everything else in that university, this also had a political angle. Accommodating
new students who hadn't got a room was a political strategy to get them
indebted and slowly indoctrinated. If they wouldn't join your political party,
they would at least vote for you out of gratitude. In fact, come to think of
it, it couldn't have been a pure co-incidence that the then university
president from the Party who helped me get a room got me one that was a true
and proper Party citadel.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Prakash was a hardcore Marxist. He used to read heavy books on Marxism and
took notes in a long register. We started having discussions right from the
beginning. When I told him communism was dead, he refused to accept it, and
instead told me about Cuba; how the Soviet regime failed because they didn't
stick to the correct interpretation of Marxism; about China that also had a
communist government although he was not enthusiastic about China opening up
its economy like India and about JNU itself that had produced two of the most
prominent contemporary left leaders of the country.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">No man at a young age, if he is a sentimental fool and believes in
ultimate goodness and equality of things to be, can be unaffected by the
story of the Cuban revolution and its leaders, Fidel Castro and Che Guevara and how they, along with a young
band of revolutionaries threw over a despotic regime. The refusal of Che to stay
back in Cuba to run a government and his mission to spread the revolution in entire South
America, giving up his life as a result, was equally inspiring. And of course, I also learnt that Bhagat
Singh was a Marxist - although now I realise he had Anarchist tendencies too. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Prakash's conviction influenced me. No idea can be dead if someone
believes in it so strongly, I felt. I read up on and read works by Che, Castro, Bhagat
and others. I started going to Party meetings. Robi was with the Party before
he came to university, I think. Manik would come by too but by inclination, he was
not very keen on the whole thing. I think he thought of it as a waste of time in his heart.
He had the artist’s disdain for power and its paraphernalia, no matter how
ideologically sound it was. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">It was not only the ideology for me. The Party had some really sincere people. Prakash, for example, was very upright. He never talked loose, like boys of our age were prone to do, about women or
anything and he also studied hard. He came from Jehanabad, a place famous for
caste wars, in Bihar. Robi and I would go there, couple of years down the
line, after the Jehanabad jail break that threw the Maoists back into the
national limelight, to make a documentary film. We stayed with Prakash's father,
also a communist and a teacher. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We had some fun in the Party in the beginning. Other Party activists lived in
the hostel too. We hung out together sometimes, smoked pot. They were seniors
and didn't smoke openly. Once, we were drunk and stoned and we locked this guy
from the main right-wing student group from outside. It was a big scandal when he found out. He suspected us, rightly so, and complained to the warden who called us for chastisement. But he had no
proof, and the left was dominant, so we were let off. Now I think we did a wrong thing because he, despite his political affiliations, was quite decently behaved, and never gave us any cause for offense. But politics in the campus, although presented to the outside world as largely ideological and based on high and noble ideas, was often petty and vicious and our side was to blame as well. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">My first hunger strike ended in a disaster. Someone had been denied
admission in PhD. The Party took up his cause, and organised a
relay hunger strike. I was hanging out at a canteen in the same
building with the JNU student union office. Someone from the Party asked
us to go for it. We agreed. Both Manik and I got our guitars and went and sat
there, outside the admin building. It was great fun. We had dinner anyway. We
sat on the stairs of the admin building and played our guitars. Smoked pot with Bidrohi.
Bidrohi, who died two years ago, was an old man, a perpetual resident of JNU. He
was suspended in 1983 I think, after a student movement led to a Sine Die
in the university. But he never left. That's what I had heard. He lived on
the charity of students. Someone always bought him tea or food. He was
considered to be mad but I always enjoyed his company. He could talk quite sanely
when he wanted to. His only quirk was lapsing into these long monologues which were quite incomprehensible except the cuss
words. He abused everybody when he had a fit, starting anywhere, sitting at a
dhaba, or on the streets. But otherwise, he was fine. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">By morning, Neha came and took me away as I had classes to attend. A dog
stole a shoe of mine that could not be found. Manik left too.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The misadventure
apart, I continued to keep up my association with the Party. I did find it unethical that the party asked us to inform them about the political
inclinations of our classmates, acquaintances and friends and that sometimes
it did not seem to mind employing the same electoral tactics it derided
publicly but I did as everyone else did. It did give you a sense of belonging
to a community where the impression given was that they will watch out for you.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nonetheless, as
we continued with the dope and the over-all slackness they began to identify us with, since we slowly dropped going to the meetings and protest demos, the Party became disappointed in us. We were expected
to be not only present ourselves but bring others too. On our part, though we
never overtly discussed it, the party’s expectations from us, of becoming loyal
foot-soldiers who would simply obey command was not tenable. It was clear to us
that despite professing egalitarian ethos, the Party was a bourgeois organisation. It promoted the same individuals to the front like everyone
else did: children of other politicians, senior bureaucrats, academicians. It
expected you to abide by the hierarchy, and follow without questioning. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When Manik
started taking junk, I guess somehow it must have leaked to the seniors at the
Party. Tahir was mostly around and he was the typical good Bengali boy or Bhalo Chhele as they say – good
at studies, overtly mild and subdued, no threat to anything or
anybody –that the Party liked. Tahir played the guitar with us. He played well
but his inclinations towards popular music were not to our taste. Still, he was
very friendly with Manik. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I think Tahir
informed Manik’s mom about his taking smack after he was instructed by the
seniors in the Party. I remember the night he came to tell him that he had done
so. We were in Robi’s room or Manik’s – they were roommates – as usual, smoking
a chillum, listening to Pink Flyod. Some others from foreign languages
department were also there for the same purpose.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tahir took Manik
away. After a while, Manik came back alone and told us what had occurred.
Manik’s mom was already on her way to take him back home. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Robi and I
steered clear of the hostel the next day because she was supposed to come visit
the room. When we returned in the evening, Manik told us that he had made a
deal that he would go back home himself after a week or so. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">That night, we
decided to play at the music room. Tahir was the co-ordinator of the club; we
had campaigned for him when he ran in the elections. He was likely to have won
anyway since the Party had the majority in the student union. He had bought
some drums and a couple of guitars on behalf of the club. They were kept at a
room next to the union’s office in mid-campus. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It was after
dinner that we went there, Manik and I. We knew Tahir would be hanging out
there. We wanted the key from him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We found him
there. But he said that he was not willing to part with the key. “Why should I
give it you? I am the co-ordinator. I will decide to open or not,” he said. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Since he raised
his voice saying so, some of the Party seniors also gathered around to find out
what the ruckus was about. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Manik, already
drunk, lurched at Tahir. Someone got in the middle and separated them. Manik
started to abuse Tahir who also returned in the kind. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I can’t remember
who mediated but they sided with Tahir. We had no option but to leave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">He binged on everything
he could find in the next few days: pills, booze, smack, grass. After a week,
he packed his stuff and left in the next train home. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-59614020417718712712023-09-02T16:21:00.003+09:002023-09-02T16:26:28.950+09:00New | Novel | Serialized Fiction| Junk Days | Abhimanyu Kumar | Part 1 <p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NZlUNSWvUePcNAHvi5ErsWr3lra2_14UHpeNG7Ay9l-ZPvB8NaNh-4AbtfS4lwDOmMmYWzCTQTBVz5zm0ZKzjp88QcnrPtP5V8ZQ5HKIx1YKmss6Jdp7LutVx5h-bRSm2pILU7fHp9zDpfc1UviBqrxwVoeFAFGM8CEyhtCRyLddAXwl7aaSIhVCNddr/s463/meuuy44j.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="463" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1NZlUNSWvUePcNAHvi5ErsWr3lra2_14UHpeNG7Ay9l-ZPvB8NaNh-4AbtfS4lwDOmMmYWzCTQTBVz5zm0ZKzjp88QcnrPtP5V8ZQ5HKIx1YKmss6Jdp7LutVx5h-bRSm2pILU7fHp9zDpfc1UviBqrxwVoeFAFGM8CEyhtCRyLddAXwl7aaSIhVCNddr/s320/meuuy44j.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Red Bus by Clarice Beckett</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">I<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Where have all my friends gone? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Robi, I don't care about, sure. We were really thick once. We thought we
were like Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac together– but who was who was never
clear. Like Kerouac, Robi was a sportsman, played competitive sports, cricket, at
the district level; bowled left arm fast well, he could get it to move away
from the right hander real swift, I think I could play him decently well. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">He always said I didn't roll good joints. He was probably right but I
always disagreed when he said so.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Robi was a year senior to me in university. All of us studied foreign
languages, including Manik. I met Manik first, I suppose. We were batchmates and
he studied French, along with my then-girlfriend Neha which made them classmates. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Manik could play the guitar and sing well. He really knew and felt for
his material. Also, he could remember all the lyrics. He could hit the high
notes too when he was high enough himself. When we would go scoring grass from Minto Road, in Old Delhi, last stop on the 615, which was the only bus that went through
the campus regularly, he would sing all the way in a low, gentle voice, sitting
next to me and I liked it very much listening to him all along. He learnt the guitar from an Anglo-Indian teacher called Lenny who taught him a number of songs by the Beatles and some country numbers, among others. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Come to think of it, the Party brought us all together. We were all foot-soldiers of the Party, attending meetings in mess
halls, putting up posters, and campaigning during elections. It was a Left-dominated university. I had no clue before joining that people cared about the
Left. I was really ignorant, of course; the Party ruled two states back then. I
quit the party later. We all did.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Manik and I would spend hours listening to the Beatles in my hostel
room. I had picked up a taste for rock music in Ranchi, my hometown. Western-style music was not uncommon in Ranchi due to the influence of Christian missionaries working among the tribal community and at least a couple of music shops had a good collection of rock music. Nirvana's MTV Unplugged performance was another favourite of ours, along with bands like U2 and Pink Floyd. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Manik taught me to play the guitar. I picked the basics fast enough
to dream of starting a band. I wrote some poems every once in a
while. Nothing very original. But Manik liked them nonetheless, so we tried
to put them to music.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Robi, at first, didn't take to our turning his room which he shared
with Manik into a practice pad. I remember once he asked us to play something
decent or get out. He was like that. Blunt. But then we improved. And he got
interested. He said he would buy drums and join us. That never happened.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">We had a<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>drummer, in fact. Peter, a
Polish exchange student studying Hindi at the university and tabla from an Indian teacher on his own. He was really good. He once asked us to tune our
guitars before jamming, embarrassing us a great deal; we had no idea about such a basic thing back then. Robi
would listen to our compositions and keep time, slapping his thighs or
whatever he could lay his hands upon.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> Music dreams didn't last long. We played at university functions
and hostel nights. We had some open jams, and a couple of
gigs at the annual Saraswati Puja gala but nothing beyond that. We were
not driven enough, maybe. Or, we already sort of knew that it wouldn't lead to
much. In any case, Manik had to leave at the end of his second year.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Then came junk. It came unannounced. And with that came Roy. And the
fall. It doesn't really sound fair. It looks like Roy was responsible. He wasn’t.
It just happened that way.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">One day, Manik came back from Munirka, the lower middle-class neighbourhood near JNU, and said he had tried junk. He had
tried it with the group Roy had back then. But we didn't meet him immediately.
We were quite censorious about what Maink had gotten himself into. We
were basically middle-class boys having some typical college fun. Junk
was serious business. So, we told him it was not on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We tried it soon enough. But not before Manik
was busted.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">A friend of ours who played with us and hung out too, but kept off the
grass so to speak, was quite horrified that Manik had tried smack and called up
his mom to update her. She</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> did not hesitate to come immediately and take Manik home for good. He
had flunked his second-year exams as well so his going home became a bit of a
fait accompli.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Manik left and soon, Roy moved in. He was Bengali, brought up in Bihar. He
had a curly mop of hair </span>and serious<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> good looks.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Roy was not a student at the university. He was simply hanging out in
Delhi, living with friends and this he could do very well for long periods of
time. He was very good at making himself comfortable anywhere. He had a keen
eye for what he considered to be his interests and he served them regardless of
anything. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As company, he was charming, to both the sexes and he was accordingly
indulged. He was a bit of a cat, to put it simply. Perhaps our own Neal Cassady.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;">Like all good things, our friendships didn't last long. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> I eventually got a job and moved
out of Delhi. We didn't really keep in touch, especially Robi and I. In fact,
he has simply disappeared from our </span>lives. Now<span style="font-size: 12pt;">, I don't even want to see him. Of course, there are lots of other </span>things,<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> but I can't tell you all right away.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-52697317755021583662023-08-29T14:33:00.002+09:002023-08-29T14:33:23.434+09:00New | Poetry | Kapil Kachru <p><br /> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFBveM85mFY2h2g0REuwGhJ52xR_PYPZ_tLuk7msKEHghmr9NmD7VMhe_QYjNfyxAwLhduhwqhKw9bEgQUXSSF7yWLuMnQ11xglgnDtPWDASrHaeW3ljKUdV0rr3gKBKBpW8H3GsO7jPrhSr0X3RzKa1pzjH5jpLPaGdCzCgEPZQnemo5TrvUOZhTrlYw/s277/guemtg7y.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="236" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFBveM85mFY2h2g0REuwGhJ52xR_PYPZ_tLuk7msKEHghmr9NmD7VMhe_QYjNfyxAwLhduhwqhKw9bEgQUXSSF7yWLuMnQ11xglgnDtPWDASrHaeW3ljKUdV0rr3gKBKBpW8H3GsO7jPrhSr0X3RzKa1pzjH5jpLPaGdCzCgEPZQnemo5TrvUOZhTrlYw/s1600/guemtg7y.png" width="236" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Columbus Avenue Cats<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph"><br /></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ginsberg<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">writhing-universal-myopic-amnesia-<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">denial of our terminal rage, up/down <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">fury of opposable thumbs hates to love,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">loves to hate<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">shallow deluge of silent majority laced <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">with spontaneous noisy camaraderie of <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">untuned instruments, groaning, ecstatic, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">in self-imposed, sentimental, sub-terrain <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">squalor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">all cages are connected</span></i><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">, sticker on mail-<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">box says<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYjX5dRwlveVYS5U5MUNAkZBPmtDxRapuZKPflUTEiilnOcuz2L9zYIIu7odLuFHnrAlYOQmRQ8Nty5_uVtbaKAcBDcI906LgIcTshizjbKzMGI0bh68mbvOKykTeobOxDcmfhaipnFndmdyM2tz2MNFNtJiXWDf448gP4Lcy4nXBXjnOyw9XfQ4x4Vre/s4160/IMG_20230829_100543.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="3120" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYjX5dRwlveVYS5U5MUNAkZBPmtDxRapuZKPflUTEiilnOcuz2L9zYIIu7odLuFHnrAlYOQmRQ8Nty5_uVtbaKAcBDcI906LgIcTshizjbKzMGI0bh68mbvOKykTeobOxDcmfhaipnFndmdyM2tz2MNFNtJiXWDf448gP4Lcy4nXBXjnOyw9XfQ4x4Vre/s320/IMG_20230829_100543.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Kerouac<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Dulouz<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">dreams of starlings<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">in desert lands<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">drunk on fermented <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">dates honey hashish <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">n’ camel milk<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">hopping & flapping <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">dull with delight <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">along crazy edges<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">of baseball diamond<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">loosely sketched <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">on sloping sands <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">drenched in moon <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">shine<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkdPMzOYmYCEkC5BCNj0c1mGxKcYeVbaU3CL7AENsR4E46bejNGX-0gR-YlfdmQPHY1EgmO4geXMraqw3KhhSD1pMeMWDVududwvZnDhIgUgFInRuktK8wQyhla7Ez5wkFwA_6xGx5Ch1LmMQX8bdHqsyE2TYoTriuZaRWzT7Wg8jRtfwc3_YDyex0nwE/s320/gbek1ozw.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRkdPMzOYmYCEkC5BCNj0c1mGxKcYeVbaU3CL7AENsR4E46bejNGX-0gR-YlfdmQPHY1EgmO4geXMraqw3KhhSD1pMeMWDVududwvZnDhIgUgFInRuktK8wQyhla7Ez5wkFwA_6xGx5Ch1LmMQX8bdHqsyE2TYoTriuZaRWzT7Wg8jRtfwc3_YDyex0nwE/s1600/gbek1ozw.png" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Ferlinghetti<o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">in that deep <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">throated gutter <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">between <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">speech & song<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">terror of silence <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">sheds its <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">trembling skin<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">& dares to dance<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">naked as flame<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">on a <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">windy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">night<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span></b>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Breakfast of Hunters</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Happiness, in those days<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">was hunting for sand crabs <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">& rock crabs off Carter Road<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">with an uncle <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">who almost became<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">a priest in Portugal<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">on the beach <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">& in craters of rock<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">that fell from the moon<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">in a child’s dream<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">we never caught <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">a crustacean of any kind<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">by luck or cunning<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">didn’t stop us, though<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">going out on weekends<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">before the sun’s blistering <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">fingers were firmly on <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">the day’s brittle neck<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">a time when <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">decent people attend <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">to domestic rituals<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">not us, </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">in-laws</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> turned <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">outlaws, on the fringes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">of respectable behavior<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">armed with nothing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">but the raw ambition<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">of cutting teeth <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">& unfilled stomachs<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">secure in the knowledge<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">they’d be stopping by<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">D’Souza’s Cold Storage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">on the way back<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">to pick up fresh supplies<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">of sausages, ham <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">& pepper salami for <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">the breakfast of hunters<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span></b>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxYMp-wD0wLtDIRTkt5NMcOYGnEuP2Q_C42IOZHC2cRsGOjE2k51rUAqECU7niKY1AYWR5TpjGQWWE30P_pOxGjgT0P3cJqOZUh5wNkyZmaPHhDYLynrZT4kXDRCzr-lJw0H0V_30pIYiy4O_54v5T5pw-cBeQ08V_9O4-eUZ8SdxIy0792vFjaRR47ZA/s320/lutw51kz.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxYMp-wD0wLtDIRTkt5NMcOYGnEuP2Q_C42IOZHC2cRsGOjE2k51rUAqECU7niKY1AYWR5TpjGQWWE30P_pOxGjgT0P3cJqOZUh5wNkyZmaPHhDYLynrZT4kXDRCzr-lJw0H0V_30pIYiy4O_54v5T5pw-cBeQ08V_9O4-eUZ8SdxIy0792vFjaRR47ZA/s1600/lutw51kz.png" width="240" /></a></b></div><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></b><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">American Shaman</span></b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Still as a statue on a slender post,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">he gawks, in the fading glow of <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">fleeing dusk.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Head swiveled, peering over <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">shoulder, scanning a patch of <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">garden with stunning attention. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Moments after diverting eyes, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">whirring in the air, thud on the<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">ground. You whip around to<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">catch the hawk dancing like an<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">American shaman, all feathers <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">and feet, shuffling to a primal <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">beat, whose unwrinkled <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">wisdom flows unimpeded <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">in his native heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span></b>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">O </span></b><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;"><b>India</b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">First
they cut off your arms<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">then
they bit off your head, O <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">India</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">how
eloquently you’ve staggered<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">through
the depraved deceit of decades <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">staggered
& fallen without disgrace<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">in
obscenely bright bazaars<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">where
blind bystanders picked <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">each
other’s pockets & looked the other way<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">nobody
helped you up, O India<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">how
could they, nobody had hands<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">there
was nothing to lend<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">what
wasn’t stolen was sold<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">you
weren’t born yesterday, O India<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">you’ve
extracted venom from<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">kings
& cobras since the pagan <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">dawn
of prehistory<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">tasted
each poison<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">natural
selection’s dreamed up<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">swallowed
any virulence synthesized <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">by
the insatiable imagination of men<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">you’ve
burnt every desire, O India<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">&
nurtured every antidote in your bones <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">for
a price, of course, call it faith<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I don’t blame you <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">for
not writing it down right away<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">you
were always a talker, O India<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I wasn’t ready to listen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">now
continents have risen between us<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">separated
by oceans of forgetting<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">so
many sublime profanities <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">still
left unsung<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">now
unutterable, O India<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span></b>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Russian
Roulette</span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Garamond, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">(for Vladimir Mayakovsky)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Garamond, "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">(raises his hand,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">takes center stage)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">with the</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> singular<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">desolation
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">of crisp</span> linen <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">he
sneers<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">through
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">the unevenly</span> bleached<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">pages
of a <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">1964 edition</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">now
splutters<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">a
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">disjointed curse</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">on
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">the third party forehead</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">of bureaucratic decency</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">now
wipes<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">angled
lips over the dandy scruff <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">of
his perpetual winter coat<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Do
not doubt your loyalty<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">comrade
poet, do not doubt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">the
essential veins <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">of
your tailored homeless soul <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">were
stitched with the joyous iron thread<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">of
Revolutionary Realism<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">your
atheist tax evading liturgy<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">forced
down the collective throat <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">of
pleased proletariat like potatoes<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Do
not doubt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">(he pauses)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">at
the indecisive gunpoint of<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">introspection
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">insufficient
pen scratching paper<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">bleeding
ink<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">(he pauses)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">inevitably, the
dream <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">was wrought</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">with pig</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> iron <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">in
endless fields of</span> wheat<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">swaying obedient</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">, glad<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">is
God a <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">pervert <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">clapping</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> in <span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">hollow
heaven</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">at
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">our restless naked folly</span>?<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">O
tortured orphan <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">of destiny</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> unspoken,<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">(he moves to the side,<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">softly)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">as
of writing<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">life
sustains<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">unedited, poetic<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">germinating
in<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">failing
hours of<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">super-<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">natural half</span> light<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">disappearing down corridors <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">of</span><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> State Office doors<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">rusty
hinges<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">deliberately ajar</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">to
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">betray glorious <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">promise
<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">of imminent <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">tomorrow<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>
<span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Times; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 0pt;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Garamond","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-73311669813223586542023-08-07T16:03:00.000+09:002023-08-07T16:03:40.269+09:00New | Poetry | Five Tanka, One Sequence, One Haiku and A Short Note on the Art of Writing Haiku | Dr. Randy Brooks<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrpfHS-RjmImYEgune504Gss5Ks3EmBye9F9DP6POFGIJAicxhffDUY3N9qOi-_iJq4389WtAHbg1YlyhzZmgNdhqLfbXnwwXyAHbcrugD6t1cCib9ZIwEy6qbE1AIU6tu3JDxn0NOLi1_RCpgtvTrGlR5kXpKPtFowkF7rGudJW3MmZgBZyraf0EnncU/s750/Buddha_the_winner_Nicholas_Roerich_1925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="750" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNrpfHS-RjmImYEgune504Gss5Ks3EmBye9F9DP6POFGIJAicxhffDUY3N9qOi-_iJq4389WtAHbg1YlyhzZmgNdhqLfbXnwwXyAHbcrugD6t1cCib9ZIwEy6qbE1AIU6tu3JDxn0NOLi1_RCpgtvTrGlR5kXpKPtFowkF7rGudJW3MmZgBZyraf0EnncU/w444-h275/Buddha_the_winner_Nicholas_Roerich_1925.jpg" width="444" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddha the Winner, Nicholas Roerich, Wikimedia Commons</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond;">all the way</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond;">to the heart</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Garamond;">of this labyrinth</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">my companion<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">a sweat bee<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;">•<u></u><u></u></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">chill wind<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">through the ribs<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">of Picasso’s horse<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">my faith<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">she will show up<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;">•</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><i> </i>d</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">rying off</span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">after my shower<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">the old chihuahua<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">gets a few<u></u><u></u></span></p><p style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">licks in</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;">•<u></u><u></u></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">grandpa’s cactus<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">re-rooted after rolling<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">down the hill<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">it only looks</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">dead</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;">•<u></u><u></u></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">heaven on earth<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">she rubs<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">both shoulders<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">smoothing my wings<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">back down</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><b><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Buddha-full<u></u><u></u></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0px;"><br /></p></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">little Buddha stinks<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">his turn to change<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">the diaper<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">my wife’s swollen<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">pregnant breasts<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">so Buddhaful<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">a laughing Buddha?<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">her track team friends<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">like me<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">a couple of Buddhas<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">cross-legged in the woods<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">a girl with child<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">soft peach<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">a little Buddha worm<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">at home inside<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">a Buddha<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">emerges from the deep<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">and spouts off<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">baby Buddha<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">asleep at last<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">curled up on my lap<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">patio dance<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">he rests in the daffodils<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">a stone Buddha<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">the Buddha sings<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">ku-ku ka-chu<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">I am the walrus<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">finally</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">all the kids asleep </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Buddha in the top bunk</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">***</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">seven pentacles . . .<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">awaiting<u></u><u></u></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">the perfect wave</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;">***</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Garamond;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><b>The Transactional Gift of
Haiku: The Collaborative Art of Being Alive</b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;">As a writer, editor,
scholar and publisher of haiku since 1976, I have been an active member of the
haiku community for several decades. Throughout these years, I have never
ceased to be amazed by the blessings of this literary tradition. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;">First, and foremost, there
is the gift each haiku offers if you give it a full imagined reading—if you let
yourself enter into its space of perceptions—if you are open to its insight and
feel the emotional significance of its moment—if you let it touch your own life, memories and associations—if you let it come alive and if you let yourself come
alive while holding it in your heart and mind for a moment. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><b>spring breeze—<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><b>the pull of her hand<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><b>as we near the pet store</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;">Michael Dylan Welch, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Haiku Anthology</i>, 270<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;">Second, as you read more
haiku and improve at the art of reading haiku, you become more aware of your
inner and outer surroundings. You start noticing feelings and things that you
missed before. You stop to fully feel and perceive the moments you are living.
You also notice the difference one word makes and the importance of the things
unsaid in the silent pause common within most haiku.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><b>The sun coming up<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><b>five eggs<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><b>in the iron skillet</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;">- James Tipton<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;">As some of my students say,
when you immerse yourself in this tradition, you get your “haiku eyes” and
begin seeing and feeling things you missed before. You become more fully aware
of the value of being alive, and, being a human, you get the urge to record
those moments of perception and insight as new haiku. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;">Third, the haiku tradition
is very social—it is inevitable that when a haiku touches us, we want to share
our response with others, and when we write a haiku, a moment of significant
perception, we are eager to offer the gift of that haiku to others for their
enjoyment and response. When groups of people share their lives and insights
through this way, they are drawn together into a community that values the art
of reading and writing haiku. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><b>Graduation day—<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><b>my son & I side by side<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><b>knotting our ties</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;">Lee Gurga, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Fresh Scent</i>, 110<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;">Although students who study
the art of reading and writing haiku will learn to be more concise, and they
will learn about the power of images in their writing, the main value of haiku
is learning that all art, including literary art, is a transactional, co-creator
process. The writer starts something that the readers finish. The question is
NOT what is haiku? The question is what haiku does for the readers and how we
can play with the haiku tradition as writers. The question is how this art
engages writers and readers into a collaboration of finding significance in our
art and even more so, in our lives. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;">One of the Japanese
traditions I have adopted for teaching haiku is the distinction between editing
workshops versus the celebratory enjoyment of discovering excellent new works
to be admired. The Japanese usually have small groups of haiku friends who
engage in editing sessions with each other, but when there are more public,
social gatherings, they engage in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kukai</i>.
In traditional <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kukai,</i> original haiku
are submitted to the organizer who selects the best attempts for inclusion in
the competition. These are placed on a page with no names, then read and
enjoyed by everyone at the gathering. Each person selects a few favorites.
Favorite haiku are noted and read out loud, then everyone can talk about what
they love about that haiku. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Kukai</i> is
not an editing session, so edit suggestions or comments about why someone does
not like a haiku are not allowed. The point of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kukai</i> is to find haiku that are loved. The Japanese say that when
the haiku finds a reader who loves it, that is the moment it is born. And after
everyone has talked about why they like that haiku, a vote is taken to
determine how many chose that haiku as a favorite. After the haiku is born, and
only then, do we ask who wrote the haiku. When the newborn haiku is claimed by
its author, there is applause (or snapping of fingers or tapping of pencils) to
thank the writer for their gift. Then the group looks for another haiku waiting
to be born. Authors of favorite haiku with the most votes receive awards of
haiku books or magazines. Through <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">kukai</i>,
you can experience the social nature of haiku. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;">The significance or meaning
exists not within the poem, but within those who take it to heart and imagine
it and connect it to their own memories, associations, and feelings of being
alive.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p>***</o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Dr. Randy Brooks is Professor of English Emeritus at Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois, where he teaches courses on haiku and Japanese poetics. He and his wife, Shirley Brooks, are publishers of Brooks Books and co-editors of </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Mayfly</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> haiku magazine. His most recent books include </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">Walking the Fence: Selected Tanka</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;"> and </span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">The Art of Reading and Writing Haiku: A Reader Response Approach</span><span style="font-family: Garamond;">.</span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Optima;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p><span style="font-family: Garamond;"></span><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-57230166716493959552023-07-26T14:24:00.000+09:002023-07-26T14:24:11.116+09:00New | Poetry | Marc Isaac Potter <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8y6uqyXR4D7RLd88t6eb4CqYbv4o4op3fiH6MPnh2Ra7h6zV7BHxtzZkteqdiK2NXaHlHngHH7S4HWdGFK97IijaVkClfOkVkkRAldXErrqAAkPlTXuQD_4WBVvFJN3-KEVCpQQhanr3Y3j0uS5U0SsLf0zgMFZF_BwuqoLn7H1rEDstFtAk4CNTlQQl/s1160/Fred-hampton.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1160" data-original-width="812" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc8y6uqyXR4D7RLd88t6eb4CqYbv4o4op3fiH6MPnh2Ra7h6zV7BHxtzZkteqdiK2NXaHlHngHH7S4HWdGFK97IijaVkClfOkVkkRAldXErrqAAkPlTXuQD_4WBVvFJN3-KEVCpQQhanr3Y3j0uS5U0SsLf0zgMFZF_BwuqoLn7H1rEDstFtAk4CNTlQQl/s320/Fred-hampton.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><b>Rotary Dial, One to Zero - v01</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Every circle is<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">incomplete,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">broken,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">out of touch.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">The myth of a complete circle <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">is like all myths,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">made out of nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I lived through the<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">1930’s - even though<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I was born in November of 1950.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">That’s because Ohio<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>is<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">always 20’s behind <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">everyone else.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Case in point:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">in 2015, people in Ohio<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">are still using the word “Negro” and the<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">phrase “colored people”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">In high school, 1969,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I wrote a report for school<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">about the shooting of Fred Hampton<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">and Mark Clark, 2 Chicago members of<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">The Black Panthers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">My teacher was totally upset and <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">… “reamed me a new one” - they sent me
off to the principal’s office, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">who in turn disciplined me as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“How dare I !”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Previously, days before, my mother had
accused me of staying up so late working on the initial paper because I was
“wired up on marijuana.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">At 18, I had never before<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">heard the word “marijuana”.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">At college, I volunteered for the Black
Panthers - and really what I did was just hang out with the man who distributed
the Inter-communal News Service.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I was invited to go to a meeting at the
Black Panther Center on Dorr Street in Toledo.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Happily, I was also studying Gandhi’s
Satyagraha and I decided nonviolence is longer lasting - and that I was not
willing to use violence for social change.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Every circle is<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">broken.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Every myth is<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">tomato soup.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></p><p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><b>An Animal in the Darkness</b><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">There was, but it <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Is turning over,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Belly exposed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Is it sick?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Papa said do not shoot an animal that<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Does not run, it might be sick.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">The only wisdom,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">A distant streetlight,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Yawning from loneliness<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Went black.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Now I cannot see<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">The belly-bursting animal.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Did it slip away when<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I was breathing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Life<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Into my courage?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">The leaves of the Oak Trees,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Thicken themselves,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Turn black,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">As still as a frozen Panther.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">There is nothing left for <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Me to do but go home<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Empty-handed<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">And empty.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Was it a raccoon?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>… Was it a large squirrel?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="normal"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-82479079049831845322023-07-11T14:50:00.001+09:002023-07-11T14:50:27.751+09:00New | Poetry | Carol D'Souza <p><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCDDKNycKap4H4sTGIXh4VKah8X3Q-FXV27jFt1iFIaWgg_FNWM68-UHe5-bAP33OAOwKV6rY9vzZUH7FUlYJcrKlJmwbEdpvlxMewJHSWAc9Ut-dqZ03ZP1r-oqBZX6-0YVsF5RZ386pdUdr6yamuZDs7qji_a0Hg_MNopS4Nw1oQ6XLUdjfPDOYuxqq/s2000/Edvard_Munch_-_Christmas_in_Brothel_-_MM.M.00148_-_Munch_Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1369" data-original-width="2000" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTCDDKNycKap4H4sTGIXh4VKah8X3Q-FXV27jFt1iFIaWgg_FNWM68-UHe5-bAP33OAOwKV6rY9vzZUH7FUlYJcrKlJmwbEdpvlxMewJHSWAc9Ut-dqZ03ZP1r-oqBZX6-0YVsF5RZ386pdUdr6yamuZDs7qji_a0Hg_MNopS4Nw1oQ6XLUdjfPDOYuxqq/s320/Edvard_Munch_-_Christmas_in_Brothel_-_MM.M.00148_-_Munch_Museum.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Edvard Munch, Christmas in Brothel</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Silences</span></b></p><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">On this evening out, all the elephants in the</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">room are on my shirt (the one from Kochi).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">The principal character in the documentary</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">we catch insists it's not loneliness that ails</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">him, and quotes Sahir for good measure:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">ये</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">दुनिया</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">अगर</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">मिल</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">भी</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">जाए</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">तो</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">क्<wbr></wbr>या</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Nirmala UI", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">है</span><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">The mild hives of silences that break out</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">between us over the course of the evening,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">thrive through the courses of sushi, bao and</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">baklava. And upon return, when we are invited</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">to join for a midnight cup of tea, you do, I do not.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Lost in translation</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Buffeted by waves of Malayalam</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Background music of late youth</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Its whorls and whirls </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">unsympathetic and seductive</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">You one beat out of step</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">in this jostling milieu</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">of sea of brethren</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Rush of sound, salt of expression</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">An endless beat till somebody</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">kindly, belatedly</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">tugs you into the flow</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">flinging some English rope</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Empathy</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Empathy visits me.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Solid ground on which,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">just yesterday, I had stood and flayed</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">a lover alive, as it were, starts shaking,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">and then falls out from under me entirely.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">It's a matter of shoes, she says calmly;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">with unflappable poise despite my flailing.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Every time you feel the fever of certainty</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">rising: change into someone else's shoes.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">It's an inconvenient regimen, she</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">knows. But wouldn't I rather walk</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">an uncertain, middle ground in pinching shoes</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">than mournfully hang later from grim what ifs?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Women texting men they like</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">One feeling forward</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Two thoughts back</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">To cushion</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">or not to cushion</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">is never the question</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Reaction bridling reflex,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">well flexed</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">In the mild mannered</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">in the not so mild</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Most permutations,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">almost same equation</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">How to occupy space?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">To not fall over oneself</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">in such haste</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">and recede, cede,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">accommodate</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Habitually, willingly,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">indulgently, resignedly</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">All of which amounts</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">to, yes, the same thing,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">more or less, in essence</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Taking up less space</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">LESS SPACE</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">As if words could not also be fists</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt 36pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">with title from </span></i><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;">The Friend <i>by Sigrid Nunez</i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 17.12px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Every three months, or so</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">You orbit back to me</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Bile from the aftermath of the last —</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">yet another — goodbye,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">I regurgitate and spit this time,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">barely waiting for pleasantries</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">These interspersed goodbyes</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">several now</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Each lacerating</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Generate a heavy headwind</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">of recriminations</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">to cleave through</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">In a light tone</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">coasting over</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">what must have been</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">difficult days, weeks, months</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">You catch me up</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">on the highlights</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Life in index cards</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Time and again,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">in your wake I'm left</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">pared to my poverties</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Arguments winded</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Certainties tottering</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">Heart doubled over</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;">On elbows and knees</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 19.9733px;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 15.6933px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><br /></p></div><div><br /></div><div>***</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Carol D'Souza</b> lives in Chennai. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-34153066544246310072023-07-07T23:20:00.000+09:002023-07-07T23:20:24.778+09:00Roe vs Wade Series | Poetry | Renee Williams<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDBWUsGXON56p4GrTtArsgdtmKiU-frTRSygQkxLhSUWu9mabSGDWHbmJ24C0XRBehCtwgS-iFipB9uEKZJS4J7zWS-0tP34k9-gaOwBFdN9ydeNUafCfkAvevWMAC9_AxgvGWIO9Dp5vKV1T869uAEPfQGSV6MZWbNEIivqiq-bvU-5x_PbJs1GGFaOb/s1920/CynthiaYatchman_Valentine's%20Sunflowers%236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1523" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYDBWUsGXON56p4GrTtArsgdtmKiU-frTRSygQkxLhSUWu9mabSGDWHbmJ24C0XRBehCtwgS-iFipB9uEKZJS4J7zWS-0tP34k9-gaOwBFdN9ydeNUafCfkAvevWMAC9_AxgvGWIO9Dp5vKV1T869uAEPfQGSV6MZWbNEIivqiq-bvU-5x_PbJs1GGFaOb/s320/CynthiaYatchman_Valentine's%20Sunflowers%236.jpg" width="254" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower Art by Cynthia Yatchman</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">“Friend”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Though we never met, we were friends for
years.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Your dog had a peritoneal hernia just as
mine did, so you joined an online forum.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">We became more than acquaintances,
through shared experiences, both joyful and harrowing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Our lives intertwined: you entered my
March Madness tournament, and we teased each other during football season, with
you always rooting for those Georgia Bulldogs and me, following those Buckeyes.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">We shared sentiments and concerns
regarding our parents, dealing with declining health issues and the like. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">And when your grandson was born with
spina bifida, we prayed for him, and over the internet I watched him grow and
thrive…and also consoled you during the setbacks, too…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">For I, too, knew what it was like to
spend long nights in hospitals, wishing, crying, and begging God for help. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Though politically we had our
differences—and they were vast—never did I dream that my speaking out would be
enough for you to step away. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">But unfriend me, you did, the very minute
that I supported those affected by this Supreme Court ruling.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Even though you suspected that I
might’ve, could’ve dabbled in witchcraft, that didn’t bother you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Even though I embraced getting the
vaccine, that didn’t bother you. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">But then I never made a show of my
ideological leanings…until now. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">For so long, the other side has made its
wishes known, loudly, proudly, without relenting. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">And even though it troubled me, I had
room in my head and in my heart for both sides of the conversation. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">But on this one issue, this very, very
important matter of choice, I cannot let my voice go unheard. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Never one to make others feel
uncomfortable, I kept my mouth shut for so long,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Probably deep down knowing and fearing
that for some, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">There isn’t room for another voice, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">And even though the other side has won, <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">And has pushed back rights that I never
thought I’d see lost in my lifetime,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">My voice must be silenced still.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Because there isn’t room in your head or
in your heart to tolerate it. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">So I ask myself, were you ever really a
friend? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I regret that I won’t see your grandson
mature. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I realize how important this topic is to
you because if your daughter had listened to some, your grandchild never would
have been born. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">But it’s a choice that was offered and
given to her. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Do you ever worry who will care for him
when he ages and you are gone? <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">When a pregnant friend of mine learned
that her baby had fetal hydrops, she had to make an awful decision: risk dying
of sepsis herself when her baby would perish within her womb, watch her child
be born and then die, or preserve what precious sanity that she had left and
remain healthy to care for her seven-year-old son, if she engaged in the other
option. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Her life was in danger, physically and
mentally.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">What choice did she have, really?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Isn’t that between her and God?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">What would you have done?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">What would you have asked your daughter
to do?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">And why should it be any of our business at
all?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Or, is this something that we can’t talk
about, either? <o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-88046737392918617842023-07-07T23:18:00.002+09:002023-07-07T23:22:44.852+09:00Roe vs Wade Series | Poetry | Kevin R. Pennington<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGK2X4bCi7efMV0ZYOcAbWOHCdYBHkwSCu72YruDTep8Tjs8O2UZVMBYJZT9w2epxu9x9SpWyRhQh26zaxeSsXjdXkhOzNOL46aB0_e-2m4_h6Vzjtj9q6d0ICnau1OWGg0gHbbtODBZjqXWc1OdXpZdznIkNuuOcy1yDFgC3xROVj-H7DRitMdOi4bNX/s884/EakinsTheGrossClinic.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="884" data-original-width="691" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUGK2X4bCi7efMV0ZYOcAbWOHCdYBHkwSCu72YruDTep8Tjs8O2UZVMBYJZT9w2epxu9x9SpWyRhQh26zaxeSsXjdXkhOzNOL46aB0_e-2m4_h6Vzjtj9q6d0ICnau1OWGg0gHbbtODBZjqXWc1OdXpZdznIkNuuOcy1yDFgC3xROVj-H7DRitMdOi4bNX/s320/EakinsTheGrossClinic.jpg" width="250" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span face=""Arial","sans-serif"" lang="EN" style="background: white; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: white;">The Gross Clinic by </span>Thomas Eakins (Source: wiki commons)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <b style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">The Way Things Are Now</span></b><p></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">(for all the women in my life)<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">A coat hanger<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">dripping with<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">blood.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">A back alley<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">clinic<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">you can’t<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">trust<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">to be<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">sterile.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">A women’s<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Underground<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Railroad.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">The law doesn’t<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">stop anything—<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">it just makes it<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">more dangerous.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Abortion<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">is the ultimate<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">black market deal<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">when raped<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">11-year-old girls<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">can’t get an<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">legal exception<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">and the physician<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">is afraid to do the<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">
</span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">operation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: 110%; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-74752421070637827402023-07-07T23:14:00.000+09:002023-07-07T23:14:12.207+09:00Roe vs Wade Series | Poetry | Marc Olmsted<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgvIASgrSzuiqljYwXeZhUyYfBf2IJZe7QLduQe_oE7fGQXEV2CmELEaMScRy3lKkRSTmXernrjsXqsqzZvz33lIgZdin6lx7mRO31f9xslrY6QRqtsD6lmz3Qba9GSQrGHlWJXISCzLTwUCHTu7T-OPs68SJEMiRzjpmhU-l48PBLrv77cSAoPKEEjZP/s640/yatchman_cynthia_covidsunflowers10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAgvIASgrSzuiqljYwXeZhUyYfBf2IJZe7QLduQe_oE7fGQXEV2CmELEaMScRy3lKkRSTmXernrjsXqsqzZvz33lIgZdin6lx7mRO31f9xslrY6QRqtsD6lmz3Qba9GSQrGHlWJXISCzLTwUCHTu7T-OPs68SJEMiRzjpmhU-l48PBLrv77cSAoPKEEjZP/s320/yatchman_cynthia_covidsunflowers10.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flower Art by Cynthia Yatchman </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Forbidden Planet </b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">When science <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">says<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">the <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">baby has a <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">brain <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">separate from <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">inside mom, then <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">we can talk <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">about life<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">6/26/22<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica, "sans-serif";"><b>Sea of Red</b></span><b><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The shrouds decide <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">short-tooth grin or bliss-Christ eyes or
shut-your-mouth glare<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The judges are a bad comic book Justice League
&<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">America’s a dead baby <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">in the clothes hanger toilet<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">4th of July sparklers<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">it's Gojira in the wires of America <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">(Japan’s dragon martyr we renamed like
everything)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">roaring movie spine aglow twin A-bomb eyes <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">coming to incinerate a court near you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">radioactive x-rays - that dark spot is your
karma <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">The Statue of Liberty has gone <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">beneath the sea <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">torch sputtering in the final short<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">GIANT CLAW descending<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; tab-stops: .5in 1.0in 1.5in 2.0in 2.5in 3.0in 3.5in 4.0in 4.5in 5.0in 5.5in 6.0in; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;">7/2/22<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Helvetica;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-17828366690981930022023-07-07T23:10:00.002+09:002023-07-07T23:10:56.570+09:00Roe vs Wade Series | Poetry | Lorrain Caputo<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGw5rqkfQ0wcsEpkvSdtVHJ9gX-0cT7OY36_Cc2QnhdPdFZEmjk5YJ82YtmKt8IXGL3l_cFvmifgXCNIhUnGloR0PAqMbGPuEU_n9FaNnl7HFLHANBOHCaSR9lXk5Ahr8vl9JZhF3-fnOIDsElRJyVcFcDmjtVKWa_cXwjRoZz16rwRcGRr-zWPfirCGq/s899/Gustav_Klimt_-_Hope,_II_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="899" data-original-width="887" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGw5rqkfQ0wcsEpkvSdtVHJ9gX-0cT7OY36_Cc2QnhdPdFZEmjk5YJ82YtmKt8IXGL3l_cFvmifgXCNIhUnGloR0PAqMbGPuEU_n9FaNnl7HFLHANBOHCaSR9lXk5Ahr8vl9JZhF3-fnOIDsElRJyVcFcDmjtVKWa_cXwjRoZz16rwRcGRr-zWPfirCGq/s320/Gustav_Klimt_-_Hope,_II_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg" width="316" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hope II by Gustav Klimt (source: Wiki Commons)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I AM A MOTHER</span></b><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">—for our mothers & our mothers’</span></i><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">mothers & their mothers & theirs .</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> . .</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span></i><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am a girl,
seventeen, a high-school force-out</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am now a wife</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I will be a mother</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I African-American</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or Native American?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I Latina</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or Appalachian?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I native-born</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or immigrant?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Does it matter?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">We are migrants to
the city, in search of work</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Here we have no
family—only your cousin once-removed</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I scrub rich people’s
floors, my knees roughened & reddened</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">my womb heavy again</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I fall & lose
those twins</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">&you want to know</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or am I?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or am I?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or am I?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Does it matter?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am a mother of one
two & now three</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">There is no birth
control I can use</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">There is no money for
the doctors who will tell me</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am a wife</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am a wife . . .</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">. . . of a drinking
man</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or am I?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or am I?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or am I?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Does it matter?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I work as a check-out
clerk</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am a wife—unhappy</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am a lover—of a
married man</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am pregnant—again</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am a wife—abandoned</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">four kids, no
education, no support</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am a mother</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">There’s the rent to
pay, a house to heat in these cold winters</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">There’s four kids to
feed what little I can</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">The littlest faints
from hunger in her classroom</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">My son is ill</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">There’s no money—</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">my lover the marries
man gives what little he can</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">There’s no birth
control I can take</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">There’s no money for
the doctors who will tell me</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><b>WHAT?</b></span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am an abandoned
wife</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am the lover
of—& yes, he beats me</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am pregnant again</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I have four kids</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I work two jobs,
still clerking with a forced smile</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">&scraping grease
from fast food grills</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I have no choice</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">& I am pregnant
again</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">. . . Again I visit .
. .</span></i><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am pregnant yet
again</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">. . . that back alley
. . .</span></i><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span></i><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">It’s almost Easter</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">. . . I help another
woman . . .</span></i><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">The snow is heavy on
the ground</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">. . . who is pregnant
again . . .</span></i><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">The pussy willow buds
are soft</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">. . . to that alley .
. .</span></i><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">My girls will have patent
leather Mary Janes</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">&my son Thom
McAns</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">&they will have
new dresses, a new vest & pants</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">&this year real
baskets with chocolate bunnies</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">&marshmallow eggs
nested in cellophane grass</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or am I?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or am I?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or am I?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Does it matter?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am tired, I am
stressed—I beat my kids</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am scared—I drink</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am so
frightened—please don’t let them ever find . . .</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">. . . don’t let them
ever take my kids away</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am alone</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">in the growing mounds
of bills</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">in the laughter, sobs
& screams</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">of
five & quickly
six kids</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I still work</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">. . . Hey kids, I
whisper into the phone</span></i><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">ringing up a cash
register</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">. . . the boss is
gone, come quick . . .</span></i><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I still work</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">. . . take
this & that</span></i><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">with a forced smile</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">. . . & a little
treat for you, too . . .</span></i><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">filling people’s
orders</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">At night my legs ache
from my veins gone bad</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">&my mind
wondering how . . . how</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">&yet the bills
grow like my six kids</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I still have my lover
who’s still married</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">&this
one & that one</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">&one who will
even bring a cake for the children</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">What must I do</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">to feed my children?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">What must I do</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">to get the medicines
for my son?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">What must I do</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">to give them shelter?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Do you want me to
confess my sins?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Then I will</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Forgive me, father,
for I have sinned</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I have loved</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I have committed
adultery, laying with another woman’s man</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I have given birth to
bastard children</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Forgive me for I have
tore three lives from my womb</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Forgive me for</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I have stolen from my
master to feed my children</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I have laid with
other men to clothe my children</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I have lied &
cheated to take care of these children</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Forgive me, father,
for I have sinned</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I have sinned for
these children you see before you</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Forgive me . . .
Forgive me</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Damn it, father</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am tired</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am tired of
scrubbing rich people’s floors</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am tired of
scrubbing their toilets</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am tired of picking
rich people’s hairs from their seats</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">&my teeth</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am just flat-out
tired damn it</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">& I see that
question, father, in your eyes</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">set in a face of
contempt</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I from the hills</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or from the hood?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I from the rez</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or from the barrio?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Am I from the island</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">or from the moon?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none; text-indent: 47.2pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Does it matter?</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"> </span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">Damn it</span><span face="Helvetica, "sans-serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">I am a Mother<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-1137735158279943962023-07-07T23:06:00.004+09:002023-07-08T00:33:06.817+09:00Roe vs Wade Series | Poetry | M.B. Elliott<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz33ZVuP0hwsOUkwwgM9yHxQNilpYBVid6ObtQPtnHY0GWcW_pu2g51Ni-JjDtFZPjqz5zLA2E-WzK5PBNIUZT326qo8TctIz0S9LEjkkDMzLjlww_xlF45JfD16F29gzmhAk4uBPrAbZ9ITCoBAXUO7GgTADdNeaeQdc-dV3x55XyQ8VZUC2Wfawq0MX/s1440/3.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAz33ZVuP0hwsOUkwwgM9yHxQNilpYBVid6ObtQPtnHY0GWcW_pu2g51Ni-JjDtFZPjqz5zLA2E-WzK5PBNIUZT326qo8TctIz0S9LEjkkDMzLjlww_xlF45JfD16F29gzmhAk4uBPrAbZ9ITCoBAXUO7GgTADdNeaeQdc-dV3x55XyQ8VZUC2Wfawq0MX/s320/3.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Searching the womb by Inder Salim</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";">She Sees </span></b><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Once you meet her,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">
The cretens that you worship, Will be seen,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">
for who they are;</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">
Withered and useless thieves, Left to steal</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">
The light from stars. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Justice comes, Wrapped in truth; It’s a coat,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">
They cannot break. Their useless talk, and scattered stock, Know only <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">How to hate. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">They take your good
intentions,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">And tax them,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">with their laws,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Intending to imprison,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Every woman, for their cause. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">The blood of menses,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Scares them,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Something they must protect,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">They want to hold us down,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Their boots,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Laid out across our neck. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Remove it,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">
Stated Ginsburg,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">
She was counted,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">
In this fight,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">
Bathed in freedom’s glory, Not the fear,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">
Made by the right. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">If you take away<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Our freedoms,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">We’ll remove you<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">From your throne,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">When you scoff<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">at the wombs,</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">
that made you mortal? Then you’re not</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="background: white; color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">
Fully grown.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-64631196578366678122023-07-07T23:03:00.004+09:002023-08-02T10:06:53.157+09:00Roe vs Wade Series | Poetry | Amy Garner<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyZEbd_-pcIXCnkgqOeP600Y7Vu4_B8k6qwXrjkT5sH2P_G2X4bpRGxwRFMzFUYaw761tNUBSEXojLG7j1KE3pT90etbVCe7Y98SnWIhBxcr3f92sIX_QsmLjPwwZnUd5DZZqsmkiOR-PKw51RzgM9PuaBMhgaAgfjug_3l-3BkHEb9R4pAOi7vqoaAdb/s1210/searching%20the%20womb%2003.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1210" data-original-width="806" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqyZEbd_-pcIXCnkgqOeP600Y7Vu4_B8k6qwXrjkT5sH2P_G2X4bpRGxwRFMzFUYaw761tNUBSEXojLG7j1KE3pT90etbVCe7Y98SnWIhBxcr3f92sIX_QsmLjPwwZnUd5DZZqsmkiOR-PKw51RzgM9PuaBMhgaAgfjug_3l-3BkHEb9R4pAOi7vqoaAdb/s320/searching%20the%20womb%2003.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Searching the Womb by Inder Salim</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">What Faith in Mankind?<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I peer into our past and see our demons’
gleeful grins, snapping the chains that drive our future forward.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Don’t like that you can’t own her when
your loins go all aquiver?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Cover her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Anonymize her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">In the streets of her own village.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">No woman was ever safe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Don’t like that your wife won’t share her
wealth?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Insane asylum.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Lobotomize her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">In a five-star luxury hotel room.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">No woman was ever safe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Don’t like how your boss spoke to you
today, made you feel small?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Scapegoat.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Savage her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">In her own home, in her own bed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">No woman was ever safe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Want to be wealthy without all the work,
and need fresh labor?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Rape her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Impregnate her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">In the rude hut feigning shelter.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">No woman was ever safe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Don’t like that she owned land and was a
respected healer?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Accuse her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Hang her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Confiscate her lands and goods.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">No woman was ever safe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Don’t like her choosing her own lover
with her own heart, mind and body?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Hide her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Drown her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Never let her see the light of day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">No woman was ever safe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Wanted the dowry but not the marriage
with which it came?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Burn her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Eliminate her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Hide the money and slither away with a
sleazy smile.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">No woman was ever safe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Feeling low, unappreciated, with a need
for power to make yourself feel on top?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Attack her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Force her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Feel no shame, merely gloat with your
atta-boys.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">No woman was ever safe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">You want someone to be beneath you, less
than you, worthy of your sentence and your spittle?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Outlaw her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Imprison her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Make her body your property.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">No woman was ever safe.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; margin: 12pt 0in; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">The enlightenment is over, and the chink
of women’s chains is only one of many links being forged.<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-91961826120331183722023-07-07T23:00:00.003+09:002023-07-07T23:00:29.367+09:00Roe vs Wade Series | Poetry | Lynne Bronstein<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhPymsyV-OisBd1pw_kWXYVijW2-EnB6Gzad7WkNOA751Nnr-zsiuNsJdZr7wkyrrlxu694mFI7IJ7HSSHhsoLKI2tjLwe93NGJ_zfMsIPjbSyHDGPGRo6PWdCkRTQAKwjg9w1D4GjnqLq1EMc8feL7RUARvw8jsaAvHoLG2OzssuE6tot_cEQVT5smMi/s900/506px-Slave_shackles_(30379413924).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="506" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhPymsyV-OisBd1pw_kWXYVijW2-EnB6Gzad7WkNOA751Nnr-zsiuNsJdZr7wkyrrlxu694mFI7IJ7HSSHhsoLKI2tjLwe93NGJ_zfMsIPjbSyHDGPGRo6PWdCkRTQAKwjg9w1D4GjnqLq1EMc8feL7RUARvw8jsaAvHoLG2OzssuE6tot_cEQVT5smMi/s320/506px-Slave_shackles_(30379413924).jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slave Shackles (source: wiki commons)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Damn Your Shackles<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">49 years<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">During which I was a full human being<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">And now, it’s over.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">When freedom was given us, I was young.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Now I am not in need of the choice.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">But if my sisters are not free<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Then I am not free.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">You may try to throw<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">A new chain over me.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">If I were you, I’d take heed<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Of the power of the wrath<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">An old woman can wield.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">There are a thousand ways I know<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">How to bend the steel.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Your laws can’t touch my body<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Or hold down my mind.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Sorry. I learned a lot<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">During the years I was free.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Your bigotry-forged shackles<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Just won’t fit.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span> </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-73289015608655319962023-07-07T22:58:00.002+09:002023-07-07T22:58:55.911+09:00Roe vs Wade Series | Poetry | Carol Alena Aronoff<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNtA_HR6M57BaNcyDJtEZBXdIYSTgacTjiAXAd7n69M4QYXLUYQsH714fD3tgtL0C-WyUaAgVMoPfNoxxjVisjwVVRZWiycOiyY55s9CUDC6GXFckfwmb3rACom8i5r3Mel3jESZjN0ytO-NoEPwtup-SFndn7lUqVb9uMUcbERyiX-HKk0euAeY2NxtQ/s1210/searching%20the%20womb1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="1210" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNtA_HR6M57BaNcyDJtEZBXdIYSTgacTjiAXAd7n69M4QYXLUYQsH714fD3tgtL0C-WyUaAgVMoPfNoxxjVisjwVVRZWiycOiyY55s9CUDC6GXFckfwmb3rACom8i5r3Mel3jESZjN0ytO-NoEPwtup-SFndn7lUqVb9uMUcbERyiX-HKk0euAeY2NxtQ/s320/searching%20the%20womb1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Searching the Womb by Inder Salim </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Estranged Fruit<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Forced birth to increase<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">domestic supply of infants<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">for adoption. Not oil, not<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">chickens– children. Ty<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Is birth control next<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">to be sacrificed on the altar<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">of false piety– our bodies<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">offered up to the state?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Anger–too small a word to<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">contain my feelings of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>betrayal,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">despair at the sufferings, deaths<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">to come, at memories triggered:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Of being told to steal a diaphragm off<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">the doctor’s desk because he couldn’t<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">prescribe contraceptives in sixties’<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Boston even to a married woman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Of being molested by a Harley Street<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">physician as I lay on the table awaiting<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">an abortion, of being told he was doing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">sex research as I must be a loose woman.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">After years of struggle, lost and damaged<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">lives, are we once again commodities<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">to be exploited, trees forced to bear
fruit,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">to be plucked and plundered, driven<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">underground to early and unmarked graves?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-69882945861384058022023-07-07T22:56:00.000+09:002023-07-07T22:56:19.459+09:00Roe vs Wade Series | Poetry | Lynn White<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOOqbDLW8n-1cBB4Ui9l-NaqV_9VeE29NeyAizeFxI7aAPwpHin0GcdgRvNdis200kB7Y_B5hWDy5_k9kNLh8RgZ5HIqeeYeHyRFeAHZPd1yxiC3eCotrIMk-sjE8cLPzp3zgu96x7NV_fxuN8EIW36vMPGb4yJsURRcqKIWReGbzHEl0SeBlGL1EHAAx/s3282/Surrounded_by_ghoulish_apparitions,_a_manic_priest_carries_a_Wellcome_V0011971.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3282" data-original-width="2340" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJOOqbDLW8n-1cBB4Ui9l-NaqV_9VeE29NeyAizeFxI7aAPwpHin0GcdgRvNdis200kB7Y_B5hWDy5_k9kNLh8RgZ5HIqeeYeHyRFeAHZPd1yxiC3eCotrIMk-sjE8cLPzp3zgu96x7NV_fxuN8EIW36vMPGb4yJsURRcqKIWReGbzHEl0SeBlGL1EHAAx/s320/Surrounded_by_ghoulish_apparitions,_a_manic_priest_carries_a_Wellcome_V0011971.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-highlight: white;">Ghoulish Apparitions (source: wiki commons)</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /> <b style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Birth Or Death</span></b></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Death begins at birth<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">for pro-lifers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">The birth day <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">is<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">when<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">interest<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">is lost<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">lost<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">in those post foetal<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">post natal<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">moments<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">which move us<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">crying<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">into hours<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">smiling<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">into days<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">crawling<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">into months<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">running<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">into years<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">walking<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">into decades<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">slowing<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">toward<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">our death day.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">They’ve long<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">lost interest<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">these pro-lifers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">They say that life<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">must be lived<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">according to<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">the law of God<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">as it is written<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">and dispatched<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">to them<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">in nightmares<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">and dreams.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Only break it<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">and<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">they’re back<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">with interest<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">and concern<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">those pro-deathers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Ghouls<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Is it ghoulish<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">to think<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">that life <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">is more<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">than a small collection of cells<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">in a uterus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Is it ghoulish<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">to think<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">that <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">the life of the mother<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">and the spillage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">of her blood<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">count for less<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">than the small collection of cells<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">in her uterus<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">that are unable to bleed.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Is it ghoulish<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">to think<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">that infant life<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">needs love<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">as it grows<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">and support networks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">and things that cost<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">society<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">dear<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">through life<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">if it does not supply them.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Is it ghoulish <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">to ask<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">how <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">the highest court<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">in the land<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">was taken over<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">by ghouls.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-20315324244026343892023-07-07T22:53:00.001+09:002023-07-07T22:53:24.055+09:00Roe vs Wade Series | Poetry | Christian Garduno <p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJIJyOCenyQ7cDkmRZVm5Ign3GP4seTygkEA8BiJmz1dEyNfCoRYHQ7Y_Rj4mQ9kMyT9nFqTR7ECqDXE_7d9-zBQ99lte7I3J3YwkXqNCEZ2IAJBT25P2in_RmPxwXcjBhlQg7Xo5mBIS006_c6MggoMJN-yxJMmxcrgYYemKnhT_FmcEGZZnXTPRPGXO/s1247/Mural_del_Gernika.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="650" data-original-width="1247" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGJIJyOCenyQ7cDkmRZVm5Ign3GP4seTygkEA8BiJmz1dEyNfCoRYHQ7Y_Rj4mQ9kMyT9nFqTR7ECqDXE_7d9-zBQ99lte7I3J3YwkXqNCEZ2IAJBT25P2in_RmPxwXcjBhlQg7Xo5mBIS006_c6MggoMJN-yxJMmxcrgYYemKnhT_FmcEGZZnXTPRPGXO/s320/Mural_del_Gernika.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guernica by Pablo Picasso (source: wiki commons)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">They Said It Couldn’t
Happen Here</span></b><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">They said it couldn’t happen here<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">they were always saying that<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">don’t look now but the nails are being
driven in<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">in one hand is the Holy Bible and in the
other is Mein Kampf<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">They’re letting you know<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Father knows best<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">they’re telling you to dig your own hole<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">if you know what’s best<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I wasn’t there when it happened<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">but I saw the livestream when I got home
from work<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">they took down the stars and stripes from
atop the White House<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">and raised up the Swastika<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">They are politely letting you know<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">that Father knows best<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">and if you don’t like it, Junior<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">you’re welcome to leave with the rest<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Blood oaths are taking place on 5<sup>th</sup>
Avenue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">the faithful are slavishly drooling on
one another<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">the Seig Heil’s were heard from coast to
coast<o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-71468242701463921692023-07-07T22:50:00.000+09:002023-07-07T22:50:05.926+09:00Roe vs Wade Series | Poetry | Suzi Kaplan Olmsted <p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBw5r77z20FKjYef8iqPL1aZKVQyHcqsRfH-0kyBt6395Nhy84lSsfBh-WzSa2-XGEgsoqpMGnohAqbzEy3dro4yOlKjtoIkYU4IwPHZI99ebB82ZJgdYkhroa64fCUn7pet5msGdLIAlQ-cqK2URYjFX3isw6suEMux2uoZq38f_yARyzd_sW8n3SAZt3/s2968/Blood_Falls_by_Peter_Rejcek.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1740" data-original-width="2968" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBw5r77z20FKjYef8iqPL1aZKVQyHcqsRfH-0kyBt6395Nhy84lSsfBh-WzSa2-XGEgsoqpMGnohAqbzEy3dro4yOlKjtoIkYU4IwPHZI99ebB82ZJgdYkhroa64fCUn7pet5msGdLIAlQ-cqK2URYjFX3isw6suEMux2uoZq38f_yARyzd_sW8n3SAZt3/s320/Blood_Falls_by_Peter_Rejcek.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blood Fall by Peter Rejcek (Source: wiki commons)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Young enough to see the
ice caps melt<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I wish it was all a metaphor<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">That I was a symbolic poet<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">What I remember most clearly about my
abortion<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Is getting the money from Social Services<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I didn't have the cash or income at the
time<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I wouldn't ask my parents<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">And I'm wasn't the sort to depend on a
man<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Or ask for help<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Even if I loved him<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">He was a useless, unreliable piece of
shit<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Who made my pussy clench<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">He smelled fantastic of amber, musk,
sandalwood and manly welding sweat<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I knew he’d break my heart, and I told
him he would on our second date<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">He agreed<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">He tore it out with his teeth, repeatedly<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">The worst kind of dilation and curettage<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">But I was young enough at the abortion
clinic<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">That 10 milligrams of Valium made me a
happy, giddy patient<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">The pitchers of margaritas afterward<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">On the back patio of my favorite Castro
restaurant<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Kept any feelings at bay<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">No regrets here, though<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Not about the abortion<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I wonder what the idiotic people
celebrating the fall of Roe v. Wade are really thinking, though<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I'm back to wondering when the mother
ship is coming<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">My abortion would be in its 30’s now<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Young enough to see the ice caps melt<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Watch billions die from sea rise, heat,
fire, floods, hurricanes, drought and famine<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Civilizations fall, pestilence prevail,
mass extinction of countless species<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">Dystopian reality pending, while we argue<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I'm less concerned about when life starts<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">I'm thinking<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-highlight: white;">We're aborting everything</span><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-17049497235982741062023-07-07T22:44:00.004+09:002023-08-02T10:07:54.440+09:00Roe vs Wade Series | Editorial: On Abortion in America | Kevin R. Pennington<p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30CmUjPCtTS3whh2ZdYVKaOdB_HaRNYgr6NscTdTqjGZJX-t1ilIVBDRAFp9krV6M_L-r-HcesVjMgXYEzGCC9-0-d8xU5rc-ClkSzLGVVQSxRaE8u_MLcP1ZIlEWM6oAb_8jPnAxSNveI1ruH0ibj7wsQ1Uu6PADfsVlfcmFf2Vb4mlhtAxKd4fR03el/s800/Roe_v_Wade_OVERTURNED_Protest_to_defend_US_Abortion_Rights_(Melb)_(52188367034).jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj30CmUjPCtTS3whh2ZdYVKaOdB_HaRNYgr6NscTdTqjGZJX-t1ilIVBDRAFp9krV6M_L-r-HcesVjMgXYEzGCC9-0-d8xU5rc-ClkSzLGVVQSxRaE8u_MLcP1ZIlEWM6oAb_8jPnAxSNveI1ruH0ibj7wsQ1Uu6PADfsVlfcmFf2Vb4mlhtAxKd4fR03el/s320/Roe_v_Wade_OVERTURNED_Protest_to_defend_US_Abortion_Rights_(Melb)_(52188367034).jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Wikimedia Commons </td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <p></p><p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;">Abortion
is not an easy topic to talk or write about. Passionate opinions rage on both
sides of the issue. On one side are the predominantly white male lawmakers and
the conservative voters who elected them and on the other side are the women
whose healthcare and reproductive freedoms are being ripped away. For decades,
Roe vs. Wade gave women the federal right to an abortion in the United States.
Many states like Texas passed extremely restrictive laws, but they could not
ban abortions entirely. In February 2022, the unthinkable happened. The United
States Supreme Court overturned the longstanding Roe vs. Wade ruling, which
provided for women's reproductive freedom and the federal right to an abortion.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;">The
Roe vs. Wade precedent gave women across the nation the right to make informed
medical decisions about their own bodies, including the right to end an
unwanted pregnancy. However, in a post-Roe America, instead of women having a
single federal framework for abortion issues, each state may regulate women’s
reproductive rights individually. While it sounds good on paper for each state
to make their own abortion laws, what overturning Roe vs. Wade has done is open
a deluge of extremely restrictive abortion laws in conservative states like
Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida. These laws are so restrictive that the window of
time when an abortion can legally happen is often over before the woman is
aware that she is pregnant. Other states passed Heartbeat laws that require
physicians to detect if there is a fetal heartbeat before performing an
abortion.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;">The
nation’s most stringent abortion laws are in Texas. There are currently no
legal abortions allowed in Texas. The state’s abortion law is designed for zero
tolerance and gives no exemptions for rape or incest victims. Texas Governor
Greg Abbott, the political figure who spearheaded Texas’s abortion law, states
that women who are raped can use the Plan B pill, which is a medication
designed to prevent a pregnancy during a tiny and specific window of time. He
also suggested that Texas law enforcement will prevent rapes from occurring in
the first place, however, the data does not support Abbot’s aspirations for
Texas law enforcement. Instead, Texas is one of the states with the most rape
complaints. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;">Drugs
like mifepristone, an FDA approved abortion medication, are currently the
target of GOP politicians who seek to leverage legislation against all abortion
methods. In April 2023, the Supreme Court ruled mifepristone will remain widely
available and blocked a lower court’s ruling to restrict or ban the drug,
however, they also sent the case back to the lower court, even though it is
very likely to be sent back to the Supreme Court.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;">In
various conservative states, abortion is so weaponized that doctors are afraid
of what will happen to them if they perform abortion procedures. Many of these
laws hold physicians responsible, with jail sentences for conducting the
procedure. This causes most doctors to resist performing necessary abortions.
There are examples of women not receiving care, even in the narrow cases that
an exemption permits, because the hospital staff were unsure how to legally
proceed with the operation. Often, the decision for abortion is not decided by
medical providers who take the mother’s health into account, but by lawyers who
lean toward legal safety for the doctor instead of the medical safety of the
patient needing the procedure. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="background-color: white;">CNN
reported on this abortion issue in an </span><a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/25/health/emergency-abortion-confusion-okahoma/index.html" style="background-color: #cccccc;" target="_blank">article</a><span style="background-color: white;"> dated April 25, 2023. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond";">The
CNN article details problems in Oklahoma where contradictory laws filled with
non-medical terminology make it impossible for hospitals to perform abortions,
even when it should be allowed due to an exemption. The CNN article describes a
study where researchers called hospitals acting as prospective patients and
asked the hospitals what the abortion policies were. The researchers got
different answers from the various hospitals. The CNN article states:</span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "EB Garamond";">“The researchers said that none of the
hospitals they contacted in Oklahoma was totally able to articulate clear,
consistent policies for emergency obstetric care to potential patients.”</span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;">In the
state of Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis, who has announced a run for President,
recently signed a law banning abortions after 6 weeks instead of the state’s
previous 15-week ban. However, the 6-week ban was struck down by the Florida
Supreme Court.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;">In the
direct aftermath of Roe vs. Wade ruling, the editors of the Sunflower
Collective curated a literary response to the Supreme Court’s decision with
plans to release an anthology. The anthology is still moving forward, however,
due to the overwhelming importance of these poems at this particular juncture
in time, we made an editorial decision to release them on the Sunflower
Collective blog. The collection of poems, mostly written by women, including
Suzi Kaplan Olmsted, Lynne Bronstein, and Amy Garner, as well as other
important poets, raise their voices against the patriarchal hegemony that
treats women as a lesser sex and regulates their reproductive rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;">Kevin
R. Pennington<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;">Co-Editor
of the Sunflower Collective<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="normal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN" style="background: white; font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-highlight: white;">July 4,
2023<o:p></o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-33482726254913141342023-07-07T22:33:00.011+09:002023-08-02T10:08:39.960+09:00New | A TSC Special Literary Response to Roe vs Wade | TSC Series <p></p><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Edited by Kevin R. Pennington, Abhimanyu Kumar, Shaiq Ali, Zeenat Khan, Bishweshwar Das </span></h3><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-editorial-on.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="534" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghkT6iWSaZmIyUz1hAr8QIaliYbMDhf6QPCCBm4CKlw42QGH1jtVEo5xCd1B0VzlqoqAGaW0O4Yng_pgwgDbrzQmP-HZTd2PEZpX8CMfnf7wHYiqWs4opQBFpYHHMZyA9oDM6EA7LQj9vFB3JvrTA7Js_ZHwuwYklE75aOizsJkIZl6hTLQdXUB5w9dKSU/w200-h200/Roe_v_Wade_OVERTURNED_Protest_to_defend_US_Abortion_Rights_(Melb)_(52188367034)_2.jpg" width="200" /></span> </span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-editorial-on.html" target="_blank">1. <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Editorial | Kevin R. Pennington</span></a><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-suzi-kaplan.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1740" data-original-width="1740" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7IfnwzMugXcGOpcfESZT7NVgsFu3JC-0UKKCMuz7NaJhj8e2Jv4T2Qxzs6E5uD9xijYMcfb7mZgZnfJEdn3OsNRtSTSmbeSeOkNzN6IGA7tC_Xqu-ULs0ikJpPoYINc-sFGlxGnkPbs6w6D6L6mFtETRYmC6WfkNbcDLX5yYckfBEenTJ7RxcH79QpcbL/w200-h200/Blood_Falls_by_Peter_Rejcek_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-suzi-kaplan.html" target="_blank">2. <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Poetry | Suzi Kaplan Olmsted</span></a><br /><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-christian.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="590" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm3ehScgJsPJAkc8l56e8I0T0aVrqjYsOga2-LK32z3_pPgnRfwhUVMH34VttWQiVh41QsJBBK_tCoGvGs9W4tAyKWuSnuP5GzWu0uSmxh5oOSKdV0ej68-YJk_Nx56zWM8DmcNq3cdv8ZEVkW6dg_Z6cWMiGh9JnuJqJ70_hdFdEi6VwZ29ATxHWm41XA/w200-h200/Mural_del_Gernika_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-christian.html" target="_blank">3. <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Poetry | Christian Garduno</span></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-lynn-white.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="2338" data-original-width="2340" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXXg1hvxGrCBIs3jmCBczEtXNyHgQDKEU8Jq_f6bNv-KH7BikpDvkEtIpx5CJOn73DdZBExZT7tPZ5C3icG2srshduBRY4tdD0boDMJ5kb2dpszMXmVbGCdAhOcM8_fqF-ww9K-xT4PAFwHjF-UbatgbVqfModkkkPc79ZYV9BExWTm5edvRHSlt9bza3/w200-h200/Surrounded_by_ghoulish_apparitions,_a_manic_priest_carries_a_Wellcome_V0011971_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-lynn-white.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: medium;">4. Poetry | Lynn White </span><br /></span></a></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td><span style="color: #2b00fe; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-carol-alena.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="806" data-original-width="805" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoBEBHXS5WvRron6URSIGEf16DL53NuQJZa8c0lLr2wlH8dZfKrzeYkLBcPenAfbhpUpraHXxzabZFtvEBWZigdUklNl9MO2z7cWHvUtADEIq--HfmwCezOKu2ICIi70562CmoOer1gNA6h9YzHe5-w_ByfG4qzaT0vw8fIYLmkK4gDEbWZYrEJOyN8Tc4/w200-h200/searching%20the%20womb1_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-carol-alena.html" target="_blank">5. </a></span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-carol-alena.html" target="_blank">Poetry | Carol Alena Aronoff <br />Artwork | Inder Salim</a></span><br /></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-lynne.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="506" data-original-width="506" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji3kGBif9vrwzcIM3NT1rkNj13MDBE67cfMclwBJjybvJzPRVVVF_e4h3hgt0s4e3s0zzEQFtC06DMtgT72sAXJXrrWTeo1M51deK2MvjJRpH9Kjx9tqmyETAwSxcXsuroWvc4H_BbPoaqpTu-gdmB5kXnrzg29fJy79fdIjTMMzTacyulwtek8urRr6iS/w200-h200/506px-Slave_shackles_(30379413924)_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-lynne.html" target="_blank">6. <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Poetry | Lynne Bronstein</span><br /><br /></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-poetry-amy-gardner.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="805" data-original-width="806" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx6m_VIJwCvtp21_xCdEK-GMh0mfGOGPxH8qnQg3IB3FcJOGQW7dB57eoS6UwnDQs6UCU8lhaz9FZ8U0hRYzrxIYlAgz6BXTeCIBPGsVSkDs1wCiT3IfULBO94-sqBA5nEXyvwx2H-m6XpzjrVbTEBnmAVIgkNoThwYbgq_DxJCE197lqsgcnAueyuUkeQ/w200-h200/searching%20the%20womb%2003_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-poetry-amy-gardner.html" target="_blank">7. <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Poetry | Amy Garner<br /> Artwork | Inder Salim</span></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-mb-elliott.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5BOv_KyWcHFz_-iTc3hIJXLyu_3mu9MxDpjZfEOsRC0uVxUR-K42C3NP4KfvBGHjF1mgdfgNYrrGWfIDHJ5P-iBbkdP1fCg-m8KFTQ7v3EuAzMys-A5uWjYhPcC5M2z_dr7l0tYLqBcImc1fadKo0YwElqYrr9xG-Cdme5U6sAwOQssN-vwTkuTbeHiB/w200-h200/3_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-mb-elliott.html" target="_blank">8. <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Poetry | M. B. Elliott<br />Artwork | Inder Salim</span></a><br /><div style="text-align: right;"><br /></div></span></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-poetry-lorrain-caputo.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="887" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE-chxec-EVYlIf7Lb6G1y4xlCI7_4EHnYCRHb_1YXel88H7dckki2i_FBcgVM8St026f3FxPc8y9mT9XCLzVBxL1TEyz6ZzfiAoBg1uDaBTVvB80EesGe97aULD8ntza_66nEIHe_OKht9C9jZACthdQ9p9mm32nZsmmC94g2O8xSZAcPgQUDpXbm3B8e/w200-h200/Gustav_Klimt_-_Hope,_II_-_Google_Art_Project_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-poetry-lorrain-caputo.html" target="_blank">9. <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Poetry | Lorrain Caputo</span></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div></div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /><br /></span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-marc-olmsted.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="638" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHLS0zWTkOx3XZ8o2AHaOv9w5ZKplw8hZ8xXDFU7Eq1JUMghaZ0_C2qftAkn17Df4nOjvTZEpvWANNRb0uJGZoTQMcPLcSbhwgjBu0q1CK62Wjvr7tbR8uV3koEW-t1plN5mHduvn30uLFdby1CcxxuMwAGS0wgihGeP1Vz-33g2oB7UbLR2XxILL5Acd/w199-h200/yatchman_cynthia_covidsunflowers10.jpg" width="199" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-marc-olmsted.html" target="_blank">10. <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Poetry | Marc Olmsted<br />Artwork | Cynthia Yatchman</span></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="clear: left; color: #2b00fe; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href=" http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-kevin-r.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="690" data-original-width="691" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy09277Bc0H-MNyuiKyZE9F3x8LtIw0Rcti5PaxHyDCamR-7aOfKtyE_d5uaAnsmCQV7uKSy7sTnDMOpFfiWTniuoQ3UII6S9IYvqYynxTDIE2i7zNgZl5tGAwYZyKHQ9yiBylpM9Z0I5Fs7SIV387HO8Ou7nHU-pySIIdEAbW3rRFWNLnvBcB0LUQHfOU/w200-h200/EakinsTheGrossClinic%20(1)_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href=" http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-kevin-r.html" target="_blank">11. <span style="color: #2b00fe;">Poetry | Kevin R. Pennington</span></a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-renee-williams.html" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1523" data-original-width="1523" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvV536e5cieRGPgR0_mf_j_475pBhczLkV4RvdqFZaLiEU4R3h8LMZ9yxjjd83c3I520AIrg1APuxtF2j8Mb-NypBp_HHWT5FRK-EuLVY8iCXCtuqvUCtE5yDWUWL1h5kbl74K_DUwzZdRho6mmgsgi5fo2v2-9G3iMYsD5GTuLbnGsSkDvovMs_aQ6N2/w200-h200/CynthiaYatchman_Valentine's%20Sunflowers%236_2.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-size: medium;"><a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-renee-williams.html" target="_blank">12.</a><span> Poetry | Renee Williams<br />Artwork | Cynthia Yatchman<a href="http://sunflowercollective.blogspot.com/2023/07/roe-vs-wade-series-poetry-renee-williams.html" target="_blank"><br /> </a></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-43413013265676034972023-07-04T15:40:00.000+09:002023-07-04T15:40:36.467+09:00New | Short Story | Crazy Ball | Abhinav Tyagi<p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhq1cgx7XHtt9KC-_ZCJ4eQnUTBz4D0AyFCwG3wGiEaaD8GNfvxxt2AYip6n8boMG94f0OiQsviOV1mbjBH7wnfKR-hAygkh-Qz1Z60Iub6JweniK6n7GON2vQFNgA85XyJJTcKloPggqxyHPjfvJ6WMDF2RcoXtOLCOf8s24cxvvneVN1QNtolfdVEez/s1048/John_George_Brown_-_How_d%E2%80%99ye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1048" data-original-width="761" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVhq1cgx7XHtt9KC-_ZCJ4eQnUTBz4D0AyFCwG3wGiEaaD8GNfvxxt2AYip6n8boMG94f0OiQsviOV1mbjBH7wnfKR-hAygkh-Qz1Z60Iub6JweniK6n7GON2vQFNgA85XyJJTcKloPggqxyHPjfvJ6WMDF2RcoXtOLCOf8s24cxvvneVN1QNtolfdVEez/s320/John_George_Brown_-_How_d%E2%80%99ye.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John George Brown, How d'ye, Wikimedia Commons </td></tr></tbody></table><br /> </p><p align="center" class="Normal1" style="text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">One day, he vanished with my ball and never
came back. Parth. He loves balls but he is not a thief. He should have
returned. Usually, he does.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if it
pains him to do so. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">It was a drowsy summer day. The afternoon
sun was bouncing off the ripples in the local river and the blue sky was
shining equally bright. By the riverside, a few guava trees with stooped
branches were standing tall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their oval
leaves were stealing all the light from the sun and sky, leaving the ground covered
with dark patches. A little warmth reached the lush green grass and softened
it. The fresh fragrance of wet mud and the sweet and fruity fragrance of guavas
hung together in the air. And just a few meters away from the sparse guava
trees, a dense jungle began. The trees there are of innumerable kinds. From the
jungle comes the chirping of birds, as diverse as the trees. On a summer
afternoon, it is a perfect place for repose. Thankfully, only a few knew about
it. Parth was one of them and I was another.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">That day too, he was there. I saw him, a
young boy basking alone in the sun. He had his eyes shut towards the sky and
his head pillowed by his palms. Bright sunlight was kissing his bright pink
lips etched with a faint smile. Under his back, the soft grass was getting
squashed. It was as if all his weight had seeped into the earth and all that was
left behind was a light body. At this sight, one could have reasonably worried
that the wind rippling the river and blowing his hair backward would scatter it
like fallen leaves. But the wind caressed him instead. He was lying there, in a
gentle sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Blissfully unbothered by
the roar of the river. Sweetly lulled by the soft rustle of the leaves. He
seemed to be in a warm embrace of some calmer world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’d only see him smile like that by this
riverside. For the world back home for Parth was much different, much crueler. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">Parth was my neighbour. He was a short,
gawky boy known by all in the neighborhood and pitied by most. The reasons for
his fame, like pity, are many. For example, he was often found asleep in most
random places - a bus stand, a park bench, on a tree- and clumsily mumbling the
contents of his dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone had seen
him moving his lips at one time or another. But no one could comprehend
anything. This is because he could barely speak. One could only infer. Perhaps
he was lost in some dream even when I last saw him. He was always lost; lost in
the classroom when teachers asked him the spellings, lost at the bus stand,
overwhelmed by buses coming and going. Even lost at his own home, overlooked by
his single mother for being strange. But Parth’s not strange, he’s just
autistic. Although this fact is well known, it is not well understood. He is
also called crazy by some. Cuckoo by others. Rarely do we hear his real name. Parth.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">He was the neighbours’ punching bag, often
called up when someone had to blow off some steam. Sometimes, he is even
unfairly blamed for crimes he didn’t commit. Sometimes for crimes, he can’t
possibly commit- how can he curse someone when he can barely speak? Unable to claim
his innocence, Parth just ends up bleating for mercy. He flails his arms around
with a helpless look on his face; his mother hates that face. She beats him up
in front of everyone for being strange. Kids snicker, covering their mouths
behind their palms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">When no dogs are near, Parth is invited to
play. Kids throw the ball around and he is asked to fetch it. ‘The looney is no
different than a dog,’ they laugh. Innocently, Parth laughs along. They pass
each other the ball and he is made to run between them. ‘Look at his face, he
likes balls as dogs do,’ they cheer. ‘You gonna bite the ball, looney?’ He
mistakes their mocking cheers for compliments. Such is Parth’s innocence. He is
not allowed to touch the ball unless it falls into some sewer. Then Parth is
asked to throw himself in the stinky scum and get it back. ‘You have to fetch
the ball,’ they tell him. ‘Rules are rules.’ Hesitantly, Parth nods and follows
the commands. Knowing well that reaching home dirty would enrage his mother.
But rules are rules. ‘Follow my rules if you want to live in my house,’ she
always says. He has only learned to follow rules from her.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">Parth’s love for the ball is exploited. He
loves them because it fascinates him how a stick or a bat when dropped to the
ground doesn’t come back up, but a ball always does. A ball is more reliable.
Parth hates things or people that leave and never come back. Like his father,
who left his mother when he was born because she had given birth to a crazy
child, or his classmates who once took him to the riverside jungle and left him
there alone. He only reached home that day with luck. Only to get beaten by his
mother. This time for being late. Being late is against the rules.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">Although the world back home was much
different, much crueler, some relief was there for him. It was in balls of
different sizes and colours, in their fascinating bounce. All balls attracted
Parth to different degrees. He was a bit scared of big basketballs; he liked
the softness of yellow smiley balls; the red leather ball was too hard and
didn’t bounce well. But only one kind of ball out of all was loved by him. The
crazy ball. It was a small rubber ball, not wider than a coin, and sold for
five rupees at the local general store. It was named so because it bounced the highest
at minimal force. When Parth first encountered them, he was unaware of this
special quality of these balls. They only appeared as small smooth balls
wrapped in plastic and in many colours and prints- chequered, plain or polka-dotted.
Little did he know he’d fall in love with them the moment one would bounce in
front of his eyes. For when it did, not only did the ball come back from the
ground, it went higher than he had expected.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Parth’s eyes traced its complete trajectory without a blink and his
mouth was agape. All other balls receded in shadows; the crazy ball had dazzled
him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever he got money-that is only
on festivals- he bought them. Some shopkeepers even testify that Parth has
never bought chocolate for himself; he only buys balls. With gleaming eyes, he
puts his coin on the shopkeeper's palm and in a rush, he snatches the ball off
him. He grips it tight in his own and hurries to the riverside.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">The vast isolated land by the river is his
ideal playground. No one comes there. Nothing disturbs him. He does not like to
share his ball with others. This is because he is afraid they will lose it. By
the riverside, he is free. He does not have to follow any rules. The ball also
feels free. It bounces without risk of striking some glass window or door.
Parth can slam it down as hard as possible. Nothing will be damaged. And he
does slam it with his full force. The ball in return competes with guava trees.
The impact after it hits the ground sends it flying upwards but it never surpasses
them. The trees are tall and Parth is not so strong. But he likes to try.
Occasionally, the ball strikes the guava leaves and polishes off any dirt on
them or tosses the caterpillar crawling on it. A falling caterpillar amuses
him. Once it even stuck the guava stalk and brought ripe guava down with
itself. Parth picked it up and pressed on its green surface and the fruit gave
in under his fingers. Ascertaining it fit to eat, he took a big bite and
continued his game. The guava was sweet and soft; its fresh musky smell tempted
the squirrels. But they were too afraid to come closer. They scampered away
when the ball moved in their direction. Parth laughed at them and deliberately
threw the ball toward them. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">After one initial bounce, the ball becomes
independent. It strikes stones and bounces off the trees at its own will. When
tired, it rolls in the grass or splashes down in the mud. Parth follows all its
movements with a smile. The play goes on till the ball is lost or the sun
sets.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The way his balls are lost is
peculiar. That is because they are always in plain sight. Parth just considers
them as lost when they enter the nearby jungle. He is afraid of the tightly
packed trees, so he never goes to fetch them and simply despairs the loss. When
he doesn’t have a ball, he rests on the same ground and counts the number of
days till the next festival.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">Sometimes they come quickly. At other
times, they don’t. Sometimes Parth gets money. At other times, he does not.
When he does not, he takes desperate measures. But such measures never work. I
remember one such incident that happened a few weeks ago. It’s known in the
neighbourhood as the foil paper incident. One day, Parth saw some of his
classmates playing cricket in the class. He, of course, had seen cricket before
but they were not playing the usual cricket with a wooden bat and a leather
ball. There were some unique twists in their game. For starters, the kids had
improvised a notebook for a bat and foil paper for a ball. The attempt was
simple yet ingenious. The foil paper was crushed into a sphere; the smaller the
better and the bowler was supposed to throw it towards the batsman like a
baseball pitch. That is without slamming it onto the ground. On the wall, a
wicket was drawn with chalk. The batsman stood in front of it with his notebook
to strike with his full force. If the ball was caught or lost, the batsman was
out. The game has its own demands. Some notebooks are preferred over others.
Hard-covers without plastic sheet covering are the best. Soft-covers with
plastic are the worst as the ball slips on them. As for the ball, any kind of foil
paper works. Sometimes even a newspaper. Though foil being heavier is preferred
between the two. Seeing their innovation, Parth excitedly dashed to his home
after his school and went straight to the kitchen. He pulled out a big shiny
sheet of foil paper from its roll and tore it. Then he proceeded to crush it
between his small palms. The foil felt coarse against his skin. In seconds, he
rolled it up in a sphere. Though it had blackened up a bit and had lost some of
its shine and smoothness, it still resembled the ball in all physical aspects.
He didn’t care much about its shine. Only the bounce mattered. With great
expectations, he slammed it on the kitchen floor, but the ball didn’t come back
up. Instead, it rolled twice to settle beside his feet, flattened from the side
that had struck the floor. Parth stared down at it. He felt deceived. ‘A ball
must bounce back,’ he had believed, ‘if it doesn’t bounce back, it is not a
ball’. That was his first maxim. Then how can it be that a foil paper ‘ball’ is
a ball? Parth was confused and dejected. That was not how it was supposed to
be. The ball didn’t give him any explanation. He felt lied to. Parth doesn’t
like things or people that lie to him. In a rage, he stomped upon the ball a
few times and flattened the foil. Hearing the noise of stomping feet, his
mother appeared and caught him in the act of wasting foil. ‘This retard!’ She
uttered with her teeth clenched and moved forward to slap him. Parth noticing
his enraged mother forgot about the ball and immediately crouched down to save
himself. He whimpered while his mother hit him repeatedly on his back. He cried
louder and louder and his mother grew more annoyed. So she picked her
time-tested rolling pin and gave his head three hard blows. It is said that he
was left unconscious on the kitchen floor. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">The back of his head was swollen even that
day when I found him by the riverside. He couldn’t rest his head on the ground without
hurting himself. Not even on lush green grass softened by the sun. I had just
gone there to give him a ball. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">Balls were not as appealing to me as they
were to him. Maybe they were not so for anyone else either. So whenever I spot
one, I pick it up and take it to Parth. Always, he beams with joy. Sometimes
the balls were discarded by kids due to the slightest fault; sometimes they
were simply misplaced. In any case, the rule was- ‘Whoever finds it, gets to
keep it.’ I kept them all for Parth. That day too, I found one. It was a red
crazy ball in good enough condition except for a few dog bite marks here and
there. It must have been left behind by some kid disgusted by the dog’s saliva.
Parth was not that choosy. Anyway, when I spotted it, the saliva on it had
dried up. White patches were encrusted on its surface. I picked it up and
checked for the bounce. The ball bounced well. Holding it tight in my hand, I
smiled to myself and set out for him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">Parth was just snoozing there under the
afternoon sun. His innocent face appeared to be in a blissful sleep. Not
wishing to disturb him, I tip-toed softly over the grass and paused a few steps
away from him. Then I crouched down carefully and rolled the ball towards him
and before he could wake up, I slipped into the bushes. All this because I
wanted to surprise him. The ball rolled up to him and hit him in his side . He
opened his eyes and slowly picked himself up, letting out a big yawn as he did.
He began rubbing his eyes but stopped abruptly when they fell on the red-white
ball beside him. For two seconds, he didn’t move. Then as if some spark went
through his body, the slow movements of his limbs quickened. He jumped up
straight and picked up the ball and began turning it around in his palm. He was
trying to make sure it was real. How could a ball so perfect appear out of
nowhere? Rapidly, he swung his neck around to look for the ball’s rightful
owner. No claimant showed himself. Parth was visibly pleased with that. His
drowsy face changed colour. Excitement tightened his loose cheeks and a wide smile
appeared on his face. Unable to control his excitement, he squeezed the ball
tight in his hands. But his movements suddenly turned cautious. He restrained
his smile and a shade of gloom came out on his face. The wound of the foil
paper ball’s betrayal was still hurting and a certain amount of skepticism had
entered his mind. Just like he doesn’t go to the jungle if other kids call him,
he doesn’t trust everything that looks like a ball.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">To check the ball’s authenticity, Parth
carried out the same test as I had. He slammed it to the ground and the ball,
as if indignant at being doubted, jumped twice as high. His eyes followed its
leap. With his mouth gaping at the sky, he burst into a loud laughter. It’s a
real ball! A real red crazy ball that had appeared out of nowhere. He bounced
on his feet and lost all the caution. Parth likes it when things appear out of
nowhere, like the wind in his hair, or his dreams. He caught the ball, threw it
up<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and caught it again. And so began his
carefree play. His limbs moved as if they were not conscious of his body. He
bounced the ball around, he rolled it on the ground. Sometimes he shot it at the
tree. Most times, he missed his aim and then awkwardly chased after it. Through
it all, he kept laughing and clapping. The sound of his laughter bounced off
the waves in the river. The riverside was beaming up in joy with him. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">Parth’s pleasures were simple, and so were
his concerns. He was careful to stay away from the jungle and made sure the
ball didn’t go there by any chance. Every few minutes, he checked his distance
from the thick bushes. It was easy for him to forget his whereabouts in the
play. But his attention was either focused on the deep woods or on the ball. As
a result, he didn’t realise how much closer he had moved to the river. Not even
how loud the running water was. In his joyous oblivion, the river’s roars were
cheers for him.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one of his games, the
ball bounced too close to the edge of the river, and too far from him. With his
eyes fixed on it, Parth ran after it. He huffed and puffed with his hands
outstretched. When he came a bit closer, he leaped after it. Somehow, he
managed to catch the ball and smiled when it stopped in his palms. But the joy
was short-lived. Both he and the ball were too far from the ground. Below them,
the ground had been replaced with violent and jostling waves. In a moment, he
splashed down the water with a flump. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";">I dashed out of the woods after him. It was
my fault. I should not have given him the ball. Why did he take it? He should
not have. I should have left it behind. Why did I disturb his sleep? I stooped
at the river’s edge and tried to look for him. But nothing could be seen. There
wasn't anyone struggling to swim either. He had vanished. In vain, I called his
name. ‘Parth! Parth!’ I cried loudly. The pure white foam only shrieked in
response. I heard nothing else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No
laughter. No pleading bleats of innocence. Even the ball didn’t come back this
time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="Normal1" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "EB Garamond"; mso-fareast-font-family: "EB Garamond";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-20069189821808061432023-05-18T17:26:00.001+09:002023-05-18T17:26:52.693+09:00New | Book Review | A Bite in Time by Tanya Mendonsa <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9iQlXLLn4pzGaAbjwU_e6seeShAhqIy3iSefp-asRgzE849JLX3B3noI0gSuDHJlNZlDYytueUOiyrFg2dE1TuB8M1LvySwSJxJVniivJgZlJMHbY0Dhla00DMbDTUAXe682NGyKxrOgEq0BCUEPPcC5F7QTsTEUtLZiC56Kc3bFvFlxzXEEYQBJIw/s4037/Bite%20in%20Time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4037" data-original-width="2701" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9iQlXLLn4pzGaAbjwU_e6seeShAhqIy3iSefp-asRgzE849JLX3B3noI0gSuDHJlNZlDYytueUOiyrFg2dE1TuB8M1LvySwSJxJVniivJgZlJMHbY0Dhla00DMbDTUAXe682NGyKxrOgEq0BCUEPPcC5F7QTsTEUtLZiC56Kc3bFvFlxzXEEYQBJIw/s320/Bite%20in%20Time.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br /> Food has always been central to human existence. Our development as a species has been closely linked to the growth in our skills to procure food for ourselves. The greatest civilisational shift occurred when we stopped hunting and gathering and took to farming. Agriculture paved the way for other important civilisational landmarks – the rise of the State, for example, which was powered through agricultural surplus, and availability of young men of a peasant stock for recruitment as soldiers. Agriculture also gave rise to the notion of property, and a desire to control its ownership, which led to patriarchy, among other things, as Simone de Beauvoir has shown in The Second Sex.<p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Other than these big-scale associations, food offers, other than its nourishing quality, a sensual experience, connected to its aroma and taste. This experience, due to its ubiquitousness, is impossible to replicate through any other means and hence, its centrality to our lives.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Tanya Mendonsa’s new book, A Bite in Time, deals with the sensory aspects connected to food, which, often become part of our memories. We all have that one meal, or two which we enjoyed unlike any other, and no one can really replicate our mother’s cooking.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Mendonsa, who is one of the finest poets from India writing in English, grew up in Calcutta of the 50’s. It was a heady time, with Calcutta’s famed cosmopolitanism still in existence. As she writes: “When we lived there in the 50’s, Calcutta was still a merchant city, though no longer the capital of India, and had a large population of Jews, Armenians and Chinese.” There were others too, such as the Burmese, for example; and of course, a sizeable number of Muslims, with their own cuisine.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through her descriptions of growing up in Calcutta, though mostly related to food, we get a glimpse into her development as a writer, which, as is often the case, features a precocious young child devouring books by the dozen. She writes: “My mother was endlessly patient,and read to us all the time. She brought me a series of ten enormous books, hard covered in royal blue, called From The Tower Window, which I treasured and dipped into for years…They had excerpts from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Pilgrim’s Progress, Alice in Wonderland </i>(with the Tenniel drawings) and many other classics”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">She goes on to describe how poetry came to her, in a sublime passage: “Something about all that time – the utter security of the atmosphere created by my mother, the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">parijaat</i> tree she planted in the garden, which dropped all its intensely scented flowers at night in a perfumed litter of starry white petals with orange tipped stems and hearts, the wide stone stairways, the seemingly endless afternoons on the vine-shaded verandah on the first floor, all the stories I read and listened to that wove their webs around me – planted the seed of poetry in me which was to grow many years later.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">In chapter four, she briefly mentions the Chinese who used to live in fairly large numbers in Calcutta of those days, and their food. While the Chinatown still exists in Calcutta, it has lost its past glory. The reason was that in 1962, the Indian government, facing an attack from China, decided that the Chinese living in Calcutta and other places in India, were a security threat to the country and interned many of them in a prison camp in Deoli, Rajasthan, for years, even after the short war ended. It is a blot on India’s record as a nation and hopefully, an apology can be made one day by the powers-that-be.</p><p class="MsoNormal">In Chapter 6, we learn about Mendonsa’s move to France, to study painting. We learn that it was a period of transition for the family as her mother moved back to Goa, her original home, being a Goan, along with her father.</p><p class="MsoNormal">Her love for Paris shines through in her descriptions of the city, although we get a glimpse of her struggle too, to make her way in it. “After almost a year doing odd jobs, I found a job at the Indian embassy in Paris as a local employee and moved out of the Moreau’s house, although we remained in close touch for our entire Parisian sojourn. For the first time, I started living on my own, renting a room in a beautiful apartment on the very chic Rue du Bac, near the Gare d’Orsay, which later housed the famous Impressionist museum. My room was small,but had a little balcony that looked out over the interior courtyard of the building: the walls there were covered with a mantle of what is called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">vigne-vierge <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>(literally ‘virgin vine’) – the leaves are large and the most ethereal green – in autumn, they turn every shade from pink to blood red, a stunning sight. Naturally, I had never cooked, so I simply ate out as much as I could. From the front of the apartment, one could see Paris spread out like a magic carpet, with the blue and gold dome of the Invalides rising like a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Faberge</i> egg in the middle.”</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The next few chapters delve into her long stay in Paris, where she lived a charmed life, full of gregarious friends, outings to the French countryside, wine and exquisite French food. Somewhere along the line, she became involved with a language school, thus finding herself a vocation, and she also started to learn how to cook.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">After two decades in that ‘moveable feast’ of a city, Mendonsa decided to return to India, in order to write and paint and has lived here since 1995. Initially, she stayed in Bangalore, then Goa, before finally settling in the Nilgiris. She writes about her life there, in the final chapter: “We were lucky enough to find a plot of land in the middle of an untouched tea plantation – alas, after more than ten years now, it is no longer untouched! – and proceeded to build a house. The site overlooked a valley through which a river ran…</p><p class="MsoNormal">Living in the Nilgiris, in a remote area 6000 feet up, full of wild animals, we have many fewer guests than we did in the ten years we lived in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goa… It is wonderful being able to eat fresh salads from the garden and pick armfuls of roses, but difficult to get quite a lot of things that were easily available elsewhere, not to mention alcohol.” <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal">Along with her memories of her childhood, her stay in Paris and other details of her life, the book contains a number of recipes, painstakingly collected by Mendonsa over years, featuring a wide variety of dishes. There are recipes for Anglo-Indian staples, Goan dishes, French delicacies, Chinese food, and many others. While this reviewer could not try the recipes out, others may find it a rewarding exercise to do so. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-69173897966826386532023-03-12T16:18:00.001+09:002023-03-16T13:58:20.544+09:00New | Poets Nabina Das, Lina Krishnan, and Smeetha Bhoumik on writing, rebellion and rejection | A discussion <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFzvwrm5iAFVb6f1H1K2k5tCy2nD-9KmqAv_vjZ_uvbfJNa8DFC_hGvUHTzZiAHm5m1rmZuKy1807oCAkaRXMRtzHatzaLIkpgY2BeZPgTGRzUWgQZvjYLuhFH5oKLYU7ZYeHJZMDzZHSJLVafWQo38jkuNKMZH0VrYE9tcuSQMolqHNojROAjz3uVA/s994/WE%20POETRY%20MEET%20Dec%206,%202022.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="994" data-original-width="715" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnFzvwrm5iAFVb6f1H1K2k5tCy2nD-9KmqAv_vjZ_uvbfJNa8DFC_hGvUHTzZiAHm5m1rmZuKy1807oCAkaRXMRtzHatzaLIkpgY2BeZPgTGRzUWgQZvjYLuhFH5oKLYU7ZYeHJZMDzZHSJLVafWQo38jkuNKMZH0VrYE9tcuSQMolqHNojROAjz3uVA/s320/WE%20POETRY%20MEET%20Dec%206,%202022.jpeg" width="230" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poets Nabina Das and Smeetha Bhoumik</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><br /></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">On Sunday, November 6, 2022, under the
aegis of poetry forum Women Empowered</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: DE; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> (WE)</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">, Smeetha Bhoumik, founder of WE,
curated an evening of poetry and conversation. Over the years, WE has grown
into a vibrant community of eclectic voices exploring new forms in poetry and
expression. On this evening, poets </span></i><i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: IT;">Nabina </span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Das </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">and
</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Lina
Krishnan </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: NL; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">met</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">
online</span><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">and
talked of work, fun, dreams, personal and professional dilemmas and more in
their creative journeys. Some edited excerpts: </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Nabina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">: Such a pleasure to be back on WE.
When it began, it was like a poetry carnival, a dialogue. But Smeetha, you have
sustained this. Drop by drop makes an ocean. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Smeetha: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">One needs a great start, and then you
keep rolling!</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="DA" style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Lina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: Every single meeting like this, to
put (it) together; it’s a lot of detail. </span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Nabina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: The posters, (and) everything! It’s
not a joke. I would give an award. What WE has done, it deserves a lot more
recognition.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="DA" style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Lina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: You know, Smeetha and I met at the
Hundred Thousand Poets event in Bombay (Mumbai), with Menka Shivdasani, (</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">where</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">) Smeetha was curating the segment: </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Language, WE Converge</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">. I found it very interesting, because we were all reading
in different languages. Vinita reading in Urdu, Jayashree in Marathi and
German, I think I was reading Tagore in part Bangla, part English translation
(mine). The whole WE world is like a </span><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">leheriya</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">; so many different poets come into
it.. Poets come in with their own colours, their rhythms, their varied
backgrounds which in turn are informing their work. But somewhere, it’s all
happening, they’re converging and creating that rainbow existence.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Nabina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: The colours! <i>Jo </i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">rangrez</span></i><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> karta hai</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">. The symbol of Bhakti literature. Not
everybody has this (experience). We are lucky to have this!</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Smeetha<i>: </i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">What wonderful words: <i>Rangrez</i>
and <i>Leheriya</i>, to describe this! Thank you for reminding us of that
wonderful session, when so many poets came together.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">On
being a woman and a writer with strong views</span></i></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Heavy"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Heavy";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Nabina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: As an individual and a woman in this
fraught democracy, how do you extricate yourself from all the negativity? I
went to watch a play after work. Everyone was with somebody, I was with nobody.
I felt that the attention was on me: Woman. Alone. Drinking tea. How long will
she stay here? (That is a difficult space but)… there are others who have it
worse. We have bullet trains but little girls are still scavenging garbage;
what is their childhood compared to boys? As a writer, I have to keep that
focus; I can only deal with it by writing. Writing is my tool, my implement, my
artist’s brush, my song.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Smeetha</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: And that’s the only way to put all
the things out there so that it’s not normalised. In your writing, in your
work. That’s the only way.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Nabina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: You are driving WE to different
goals. It is that anxiety, that restlessness. Restless women are not
appreciated. They are called out. They’re seen as disruptive. So many women and
other marginalised people. So, we must write. Where I come from, writing is not
only leisure and pleasure. It’s a continuous movement to address issues.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Smeetha</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: I like what you’re saying, that
creative anxiety is actually a spur, and used well, it’s actually a motivating
force, to use if you want.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Lina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: It’s also nice to have this
supportive poetry world where people are actually rooting for each other; I
feel happy, Smeetha, when I see the paintings you’ve made. I feel really kicked
that Nabina’s done this Bangladeshi book. And now Anima’s coming out, and it</span><span face=""Arial Unicode MS", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">s
always exciting (to read Nabina) because she’s got such a crazy mind. It’s
always nice to meet a fellow </span><i><span lang="PT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: PT; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">pagal </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">and she’s totally </span><i><span lang="IT" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: IT; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">pagal</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Nabina: </span><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Deewanapan</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">! I think all women should be </span><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">deewanis</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">; just do what you have to do. And
Smeetha is one </span><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">deewani</span></i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">who’s followed her passion.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIm7mE1AIEiEJRPhfpRWO01sQqT4uABvYT8aDWsfX17hrXM1P6SL05Z_geXnaoiTHmrnYF629Fzedm74xb00Iu-wm5B-E1BlkxG33-b5hHBiLzhPkmb4xpXglIoDEyExo_NcgEiFKmgSqH0JMZJ5eA7BcGxfgBRCUmdRo6y9KI6EBKqZDss_1b6KoL0w/s1403/Lina%20Krishnan.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1262" data-original-width="1403" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIm7mE1AIEiEJRPhfpRWO01sQqT4uABvYT8aDWsfX17hrXM1P6SL05Z_geXnaoiTHmrnYF629Fzedm74xb00Iu-wm5B-E1BlkxG33-b5hHBiLzhPkmb4xpXglIoDEyExo_NcgEiFKmgSqH0JMZJ5eA7BcGxfgBRCUmdRo6y9KI6EBKqZDss_1b6KoL0w/s320/Lina%20Krishnan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lina Krishnan</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /> </span><p></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">On
Recent work</span></i></b></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><b><span face=""Tahoma","sans-serif"" style="background: white; color: #222222;">Anima Writes a Letter Home</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">I,
Anima, stand bewildered in the midst of a midnight’s jowl. </span></i><span dir="RTL" face=""Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"" lang="AR-SA" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-font-style: italic;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Why
is it that for many there’s no home? Although it is chaand raat, the night of
the moon? And a child</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span face=""Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-hansi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";">’</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">s tearful whisper: take me to
Eid tomorrow, Ma, take me to Eid. I, Anima, ask you to wait for me to find the
answer out when I carry the grasshopper home. I, Anima, stand bewildered in the
midst of a midnight’s jowl. What is it, why is it that for many there’s no
home? Although it is chaand raat, the night of the moon? And a child’s tearful
whisper: take me to Eid tomorrow, Ma, take me to Eid. I, Anima, ask you to wait
for me to find the answer out when I carry the grasshopper home.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">[Excerpt from Nabina’s poem from her book </span><b><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Anima &
the Narrative Limits</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">,
Yoda Press, Delhi, 2022]</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Nabina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: Anima has been in the making for the
last five years. And there’s a bit of my art here. It’s a germinating seedling,
that I was teaching my daughter about. It’s the woman’s perspective, looking at
the world.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Lina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: This poem is a knockout; like a lot
of your work, Nabina, very disturbing.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Smeetha<i>: </i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Your recent essay </span><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">in <i>Himal </i></span><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Southasian </span></i><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">on 1984</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">. I read that and I wanted to ask you,
</span><span lang="DA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Lina, </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">what guides your choice of subject
matter?</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Heavy"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Heavy";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i><span lang="DA" style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Lina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: I was thinking about the roots of
communalism. People don’t hate each other, they’re made to hate each other.
These are disturbing thoughts that were on my mind. At the same time, there was
this happy space as a child. We were brought up in such a multi-cultural
atmosphere of </span><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">ados-pados</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">, all kinds of communities living
around you and we didn’t know who we were. I felt a need to write about that
time (as a Tamilian growing up in Delhi). I wrote the first paragraph a few
years ago and didn’t proceed. It’s only now, after years, that I’ve managed to
put it down and get it published, thanks to <i>Himal</i>!</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Only
a diminutive granthi was present, fanning a very large book, covered with a
gorgeous bit of brocade, with a peacock feather. He did not seem put out to see
a bunch of tousled kids troop in, and merely smiled and said in a gentle voice
in English, </span></i><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" face=""Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"" lang="AR-SA" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-font-style: italic; mso-ansi-language: AR-SA;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>“</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Bachhe
(children), cover your heads and come,” pointing to a boxful of scarves kept
near the entrance.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">[An e<a style="mso-comment-date: 20230207T0232; mso-comment-reference: _5;"><span style="mso-comment-continuation: 6;"><span style="mso-comment-continuation: 7;">xcerpt</span></span></a></span><span style="mso-special-character: comment;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> from<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Tamil
Sikh, A Fragment of Memory, </span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">From 1984, </span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Lina Krishnan</span><span face=""Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"" lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-IN;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s
memoir </span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: FR; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">essay</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">
in Himal Southasian, June 2022, </span><a href="https://www.himalmag.com/tamil-sikh-fragments-of-memory-2022">https://www.himalmag.com/tamil-sikh-fragments-of-memory-2022</a> ]</p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Smeetha<i>:</i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> It’s such a beautiful essay,
especially the childhood parts. There’s a lot of simplicity and the innocence
of that era coming through.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Nabina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: I also loved that work. It just
shows, (what are) the cultural layers that shape the writer. Here you have written
it with so much empathy and love and a little bit of child-like tone.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="DA" style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Lina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: I’m not being naive, I hope, but I’d
like to believe that the innocence is still there somewhere, not all gone.
Delhi is a city of extremely rich and entitled people, that Delhi does exist,
but at another level, Delhi is also a city of workers, all doing fundamentally
crucial jobs. They’re all migrants, but somehow, they’ve managed to create that
space where during the day, they’re doing their work, doing it very sincerely,
and you’ve got to appreciate that. They’re really the salt of the earth, even
the much maligned auto-wallahs!</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 8pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Nabina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: I think Lina should read a poem now.
I like that poem of hers; can’t remember the title…</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span lang="DA" style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: DA;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span lang="DA" style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Lina</span><span lang="DA" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Let me read an old favourite.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">All
afternoon we read poems </span></i></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Outside,
a bleak sky </span></i></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Looks
as though</span></i></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">It would like</span></i></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">To come in, and
read a bit </span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">All
afternoon, we read poems</span></i></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">And drink tea. After
a month</span></i></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Steeped
in Shahid's heartbreaking verse </span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">I
need the peace of Qabbani's rose </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Words
flow between us</span></i></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Like swirls from a
thousand continents </span></i></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Saturdays
should be like this. </span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">[Excerpt from Lina Krishnan’s <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">All Afternoon We Read Poems</b>, from </span><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Love Is So Short</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">, an anthology of female love poetry,
Blank Rune Press, Melbourne, 2017]</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<span face=""Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"" style="color: black; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><br clear="all" style="break-before: page; mso-special-character: line-break; page-break-before: always;" />
</span>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><o:p> </o:p><b><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">On
the creative form in poetry</span></i></b></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Smeetha</span><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">In 2017, in the Global Poetry Writing
Month, it was you, Nabina, who introduced us to the </span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">sestina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">. And I was captivated! I wrote a
sestina to the six words you had given, and that remains my favourite </span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">sestina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">In search of a
golden glow half imagined, is there a cess</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">on it? The forest
is all dark and thunder rolls, an old trick</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">to frighten even
the bold, the darkness is a blindfold really,</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">you walk on,
trembling, hanging on by a thought so dulcet</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">so dear, that maybe
you then shed your fear, and are mixing</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;"><i>visions of utopia
with whatever is at hand, before it can clot.</i></span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Heavy"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Heavy";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">[Excerpt from <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Glow</span></b>, Smeetha Bhoumik's verse (a
sestina with the six words - cess, trick, really, dulcet, mixing, clot), in </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Witness,
The Red River Book of Poetry of Dissent</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">, Red River, Delhi, 2021]</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Smeetha</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">: You started us off, showing us the
importance of voice and re-writing women’s stories. And since the conversation
is going from women being disruptive to women questioning, Nabina's sestina
says:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">Just to assure I</span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" face=""Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"" lang="AR-SA" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: AR-SA;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>’</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">m
no believer in id</span><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: FR;">é</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">e
fixe, I again rallied my sentences home:</span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" face=""Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"" lang="AR-SA" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: AR-SA;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>‘</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">It</span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" face=""Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"" lang="AR-SA" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-ansi-language: AR-SA;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>’</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%;">s
actually funny to hear I look like a Mexican or one of those folks who
regularly climb/over the fences…'</span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><i> </i></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">[Excerpt from Nabina Das</span><span face=""Arial Unicode MS", "sans-serif"" lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">s
poem </span><b><span style="background: white; font-family: "Avenir","serif";">When
identity and Epistemology Hit One Hard</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;"> from </span><b><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-style: italic;">Anima & the Narrative Limits</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">, Yoda Press, Delhi, 2022]</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;"><br /></span></i></b></p><p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">On
the Writing Life</span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: </span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Nabina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">: The writing life is full of
rejections, but I won’t call them downs, it’s a journey. At times, one feels, “Am
I writing enough, or being heard enough?” ; that anxiety is also creative and
that should be there. But as a writer and poet, I’ve only looked for that
happiness, that ecstasy…a little self-centred need to be recognised.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Smeetha<i>: </i></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">It’s a huge accomplishment to do the
50 Bangladeshi poets. Not only the appreciation, but it’s work done. You have
to actually sit and translate it.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Nabina</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: I should mention that it needs some
rigour, and I am a person given to sudden flights of “Oh let’s just do
something else”. I’m not very disciplined, but I did it in a fortnight. That
gave me happiness. Not just that I achieved a book. The 50 Bangladeshi poets;
such a range of diverse voices. We don’t see them as Bangladeshi; the stories
from my parents and older people of the Partition era, you know, that’s what
kept playing in my head. It was possible because of the way the poets drew me
in, and how they’ve resolved their issues. Perhaps we should also have a
version of that.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Smeetha</span><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">: </span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Lina, what inspires you most, poetry
or prose? Or is it realism or fantasy?</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Avenir Heavy"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Avenir Heavy";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Lina: Prose and poetry, I feel totally at home with both. It’s
really about what I’m interested in at that moment and what comes into my head.
Poetry is not very planned, it just appears and I don’t feel any ownership of
that. I feel happy when it happens; I wrote a poem yesterday. Every time I
write, I’m surprised that I’m still writing. The last few years have been quite
tough. But despite all that, the minute one is writing, you have a world, you
create your own silence. Poetry takes you away, art even more.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 14pt;">Art is much more peace-giving; poetry forces
me to confront certain issues because it’s words and thoughts. In art, yes, the
same thoughts and complexities are there, but art is more healing.</span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 6pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">(<a style="mso-comment-date: 20230208T1635; mso-comment-reference: _11;"></a><a style="mso-comment-date: 20230208T1634; mso-comment-reference: _10;"></a><a style="mso-comment-date: 20230208T1634; mso-comment-reference: _9;"></a><a style="mso-comment-date: 20230207T0247; mso-comment-reference: _8;"><span style="mso-comment-continuation: 9;"><span style="mso-comment-continuation: 10;"><span style="mso-comment-continuation: 11;">Lina reads her poem <b>Sangat</b> from the
book <b>Witness</b>, edited by Nabina Das</span></span></span></a></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">. An excerpt:)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I recall my mother’s favourite<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kanjeevaram in mango. A green
border<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As vivid as her occasional smile<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And then there was Ghalib, afraid<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Its succulent season would pass<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">While he remained in debtor’s
prison<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Imbibing tea with a contemplative
friend<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Silences more than speech would be<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The mellow cups as companions<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Beauty in a strand<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Kashmiri crocus, saffron<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That most precious spice<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Buddha’s embrace<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of the bhagwa of renunciation<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Enabled the Sangha to grow<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The lotus outside , reluctant at
daybreak<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Its petals half asleep. The still
pond, waiting<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border: none; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 0cm 0cm 0cm;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="border: none; color: #222222; font-size: 14pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For the miracle of opening<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 150%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 6pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Heavy","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">Nabina:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";"> And then, the everyday pleasures, I
was telling my kid, look at the sunset. Take pleasure in the pink and orange.
The other source of encouragement is friends like you who are always up to
something. The pandemic years were really tough, but most of us kept in touch
and stayed with poetry. And when someone reads us, then it is like the </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">laya</span></i><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">of </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%;">dhrupad</span></i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">; you go through rigour to ecstasy. At
the end of all the hard work, one feels a sense of celebration. Like this
evening, it</span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL" face=""Arial Unicode MS","sans-serif"" lang="AR-SA" style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-ansi-language: AR-SA;"><span dir="RTL"></span><span dir="RTL"></span>’</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">s also a celebration! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 200%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 120%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Arial Unicode MS";">Bio Notes:</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 120%;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 120%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Nabina
Das is a poet and writer from Assam, now based in Hyderabad. Her new poetry
collection </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Anima
and the Narrative Limits</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">
is just out from </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Yoda
Press</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">. Her other
collections are </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="SV" style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: SV;">Sanskarnam</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="SV" style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: SV;">a</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">,
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Into the Migrant City</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">, and </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Blue Vessel</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">. Her debut book was </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Footprints in the Bajra</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">, a novel; and her short
fiction volume is titled </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">The
House of Twining Roses</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">:
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Stories of the Mapped and
the Unmapped</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">.
Her first book of translations </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Arise
out of the Lock: 50 Bangladeshi Women Poets in English</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;"> appeared in early 2022 from
Balestier Press, UK. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 120%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 120%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Smeetha
Bhoumik is a poet, artist, editor. Founder of the WE Literary Community, she is
also the </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="PT" style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: PT;">editor </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">of
the </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Yugen Quest Review </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">and author of two poetry
collections. She has been instrumental in establishing poetry awards like the </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">WE </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="DE" style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: DE;">Kamala Das Poetry Award </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">and </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">WE </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: NL;">Eunice de Souza Poetry Award</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;"> among others. <o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 120%;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="BodyA" style="line-height: 120%;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Lina
Krishnan </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="PT" style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: PT;">is a poet</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">,
writer and abstract artist. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Small
Places, Open Spaces</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">,
her chapbook of nature verse, was published by the Blank Rune Press, Melbourne
in 2018. Her paintings,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="NL" style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: NL;"> poems, </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">and
non-fiction writing have found a place in literary journals and arts magazines
such as the </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Shot
Glass Journal</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">,
</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">Husk</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="FR" style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%; mso-ansi-language: FR;">RIC
Journal</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">,</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">YAWP </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Avenir Book Oblique","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%;">and
in twelve published/forthcoming anthologies of poetry. </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 120%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2098635465970079332.post-54459144201850403872023-02-16T13:52:00.001+09:002023-02-16T13:52:38.542+09:00New | Poems | Anannya Dasgupta <p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGG2sej44BGiDH8iDk-lh8DX9LDusL3LU_kipEcFYyM1y3KllNpwE99iYwa8Tjkdm4wQZ5kykASaTBiByK1jGqVWTnVdZatECod34TF5nHMbf2RmZGeuh4U54QPjQDi300bo4dpXl9bbOCP0MftPzONrLlyrnY1QKrRC_c9WxZT1pXyOfHbaVNy4oog/s1200/Floris_Arntzenius_Stra%C3%9Fenstudie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="832" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGG2sej44BGiDH8iDk-lh8DX9LDusL3LU_kipEcFYyM1y3KllNpwE99iYwa8Tjkdm4wQZ5kykASaTBiByK1jGqVWTnVdZatECod34TF5nHMbf2RmZGeuh4U54QPjQDi300bo4dpXl9bbOCP0MftPzONrLlyrnY1QKrRC_c9WxZT1pXyOfHbaVNy4oog/s320/Floris_Arntzenius_Stra%C3%9Fenstudie.jpg" width="222" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artwork by Floris Arntzenius</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><b style="font-family: garamond, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: garamond, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-family: garamond, "times new roman", serif; font-size: large;">Going Gently into the Good Night</b></p><div><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><br />When I go into the good night<br />Alone with only myself to bring<br />I hope to go in peace, in light<br /> <br />Injustice, hurt, rightful rage, slight:<br />Calmed, un-grasped, nothing to cling<br />When I go into the good night<br /> <br />Not in strength, nor even might<br />Not in the slowed lease of ageing<br />I hope to go in peace, in light<br /> <br />Give away, be unburdened, light<br />Feel no lack of love or loss of wing<br />When I go into the good night<br /> <br />Sound, smell, touch, taste, sight<br />Gently eased, left to crave nothing<br />I hope to go in peace, in light<br /><br />Freed of what may or what might<br />Will I keep in heartful reckoning?<br />When I go into the good night<br />I hope to go in peace, in light<br /><br /><br /><b>5 images and 1 metaphor</b><br /><br />ceiling fan stuttering<br />on its rotator cuffs<br /><br />lamp light focussed over<br />the study table, its penumbra<br />diffused over the wall<br /><br />scent from camphor<br />blossoming on a low flame<br /><br />books bookmarked, notes<br />lined and underlined<br /><br />laptop fired up, documents<br />open and crackling<br /><br />a swimmer bracing at the<br />edge of the pool…<br /><br /><br /><b>Ba Ba Black Sheep</b><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">Ba ba Black Sheep<br />Have you any wool?<br /><br />Oh so much -<br />Baba Saheb replied,<br />pulled over our eyes<br />when they lied<br /><br />about how they are<br />Manu’s twinkling star.<br /><br />Up above the world so high<br />born as Brahmins in the sky.<br /><br />As for the boy who lived<br />down the lane…<br /><br />Little boy blue is blowing his horn<br />Telling it like it is to be dalit born.<br /><br />Not lined in shells or cock & bull bells<br />Keepers of sheep will drink from your wells.<br /><br /><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;"><b>Pattern</b><br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: garamond, times new roman, serif; font-size: medium;">What<br />is the pattern<br />of a square peg in<br />a round hole?<br /><br />Neatly aligned lines<br />joining at right angles<br />finds a home in a sphere<br /><br />that with every turn <br />around the sun repeats<br />not now, not here.<br /><br /><br /><b>Red, a (sort of) ghazal</b><br /><br />When I dwell on the sound red<br />I hear chillies being ground red<br />The grinding of a stone pestle<br />in a stony mortar pound red<br />The pounding, anxious heart<br />beating till it is drowned red<br />The drowning deaths await us<br />for no hands will be found red<br />Finding blame to heap and keep<br />is not unique just crowned red<br /><br /><b>Short Bio:</b> <i>Anannya Dasgupta is a poet and photographer who lives by the sea in Chennai. Her book of poems Between Sure Places is available from Writers Workshop. </i></span><br /></div><div><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0