our Christmas lights

Made of wood - old unnamedwood - our tiny home. Fragilein the surface. Look beneath.After a minimum of 20 typhoons per year, it's still proud after acouple of decades. Unlikethe tamarind tree, the acacia,the guava, the hibiscus, thebanana. September is clothe in blinking little lights. The countdown forthe manger starts. It is a season of…

cloud’s sunburn

Three chili plants remaining, I once thought they would succumb after I almost drowned them with neem oil because of pesky ants. Together in a pot, amidst many stormy nights, it's always a surprise when I see them breathing in silent delight. Yes, with wrinkled leaves, but at least, still alive.But these clouds are clearly…

darling

born in the era of wide-legged pantshis limbs - bamboos - his hands - cloudto touch. his eyes,thin eyes, disappearwhen he smiles. he dances, sings without juke, Elton and Michaelcroon inside his heart.no wonder, no wonderhe is my darlingdad. — 18.06.2021©2021 Rosemawrites@A Reading Writer. All Rights Reserved.Photo via Unsplash This work is licensed under a Creative Commons…

now

means green leavesor wilted ones for roots waiting to be buried in a new soil (after breakingitself in half to tasteone fine sunray). meansthe distance betweentomorrow's to-do list and last night cricket'spillow-in-tears. means some more carbon dioxideexhaled after a brief tripinside your lungs, one breath, and anotheruntil your flesh fingersmelt with the old roots of…

beautiful girl

after Sara Bareilles twirl, twirl, twirl,how long have you beentwirling, twirling, twirling?you're a top. their words make your self-worth spin,"fat arms,fat tummy,fat fingers.you don't drink,how come you havebeer belly?" a cocoon you builtaround yourself, beautiful girl. don't trade your marshmallow-softnessfor their starved hips,beautiful girl.they're blinded by your wings, glittered, come,you, oh you,beautiful girl. — 04.06.2021©2021…

a thousand times: after The Kite Runner

yes, for you, a thousand times,a thousand times over.hush. don't roll that question mark out of your tongue.you never questionthe lyrics of hummingbirds'afternoon noon song, never doubted each stroke ofsunset, all hues're never wrong. hush, let lick straightyour forehead knots, come listen, closer, for you, a thousand times,a thousand times over. — 26.05.2021©2021 Rosemawrites@A Reading…

wishes in the wind

i wish i've puppy-pawsto dig through the muck of this year. i wish i've puppy-eyesto bend my Master's will. i wish i've a puppy-noseto smell happinessfrom a mile. i wish i need not to wish for a real, real smile. — 11.03.2020©2020 Rosemawrites@A Reading Writer. All Rights Reserved.Photo via Unsplash This work is licensed under…

hell’s window

there is a paintingoutside my window, hell magnetingthe day sun's glow. stain of last nightrests on my pillow--- my unraveling with moonlight's bow. feels a few feet frommy reach, the sky, if only dusk can give me wings to fly. — 10.20.2020©2020 Rosemawrites@A Reading Writer. All Rights Reserved.Photo via Unsplash This work is licensed under…

cheese moon

if moon is made of cheesei will call it mine,every night, i'll sink my teethto its gooey-divine. if moon is made of cheesei'll swim in pools of wine,to drown the emptinessof our mattressed-shrine. if moon is made of cheesei'll drink its yellow shine,to cheer the longing of my autumn, drooping spine. if moon is made…

wait on wheat

ebb and flow goes the salty, blue sea, how many seashells has it robbed from thee? may they be conch filled with your childhood dreams, or the prayers of your aged-mind’s streams, may they be shell-hearts you’ve always long to hold, too sharp to touch, too tough to mold, or perhaps a silent wish your…