ETERNALLY CONTENT.

In a home of four,

the roof made of chaff,

lived a mom and her hearts,

working as a famer ,

till the sun made her shatter,

lived a princess in a hut,

and a granny full of greys,

stories and the nights,

stars twinkling bright,

lil puppy on the side,

dadda being the knight,

making princess bride,

friends in the neighbour,

giggly and lovely,

just like me and mommy,

walks to the farm,

and milk from shed,

play morning till the dawn,

from hide and seek,

to lil grants to the needy,

as pure as lily,

the home was love.

By: Mohana

“I don’t even know who am I anymore,” I said to my reflection

All I wanted is perfection

Not the urge of disaffection

Everyday I try to do something new

But insecurity is blocking my view

I told myself “you are perfect just the way you are”

But my brain acts like a burned-out star

So she completely disagrees with that statement

But watching me stress out is her favorite entertainment

I just wish I could find the real me

Where ever the real me is

I looked at myself with such disgrace in my eyes when reality reminded me:

No one would hate me the way I hate me

And

No one would love me the way I love me

I heard it the first time in Lilo & Stitch, and boy, did it resonate. It's become a bit of a family slogan. My mama used to say it to me.

She cupped my cheek on my fourteenth birthday and wiped away a tear, "Oh daughter... we are broken, but we're still good."

"Mom. I don't know what to do. My brothers hate me." I sobbed.

"No, they don't-- they'll come around. I am so proud of you. I am so sorry. I had no idea what your dad was doing. Thank you for telling the truth." Her voice weakens with every word. She's barely audible by the end of it, and by the slump of her shoulders I can see the burden she carries. I can see the bruises left by large, veined hands- hands I used to cling to in the grocery store.

"Why don't they see it like I do, mom?"

She sighs a world weary sigh, "because... they are not women... they are worth something to him." She meets my eyes. She's just called me a woman, and we both know it's true. I stopped being a child years ago. "C'mon, hon. Let's do something fun today-- it's your birthday. Let's get through this. Together. We will get you away from him. We will get you all away from him-- just one more visit."

I steady myself and wipe the tears with the back of my hand, "Okay. Just one more visit." I put on my wistful smile and squeeze her hand, "what on earth are we doing moping? It's my birthday!" She smiles at my false happiness and pats my cheek once more.

"Yes. Broken, but still good."

We rise, pull strength round our shoulders in invisible robes, and paste on the cheer with a glue of perseverance.

I endured with a smile. I made it. We got me away from him.

And I thought that perhaps I might heal someday. I thought there might be a time I was no longer broken-- that the cracks might stop showing, but now I know...

I will always be broken, but

Still Good.

Sprawled on the hardwood floor,

A worn out soul —

Splintering with regret —

Cannot rest.

Its stone cold heart,

Cracked beyond repair,

Wears a spackled mask —

That slips.

Hiding an empty shattered shell.

Granpa mine,

died of work,

on job.

Father mine,

withered under

cars with fault.

Money gathered send me,

work to study,

job to have.

How I worked!

Protest nights aflame,

paint throwing on the racists running,

demonstration having day and night.

Resting,

saferooms abound,

shrinks nodding,

teachers gifting grades.

Glorious study!

Minorities, fringe and trans, saved.

Non-existent too.

Day of glory.

Patriarchy white surrendered the diploma,

world opened,

for me to work it.

But, but, but?

Where are they?

Equity corporation? Inclusivity Inc.,? Anti-racist mega Industry ltd.? Diversity of Company?

I am ready.

Finished the Molotov throwing course.

Where are you?

Jobs of mine?

God of Time rule

in back

strong

Men

in political setees

dreamed

over-godding God

invented

yo-yo time

God of time

rule gone

end of

times

near

PANDEMIA

Octopod one

lab sufferer

Kingdom; Animalia

danger

no

life

yes

Octopod two

seafood sacrifice

pool swimmer

market free

danger

no

life

yes

Met, mated, lab in pool

octopi

Phylum;. mollusca

lab virus loving natural one

danger

yes

life

no

Octopi

water mine ticking

Clade: Vampyropode

lab yes

Wuhan yes

of animal love

life

no

white death

yes

Leaves descend— falling

In a diZzYiNg motion-

Hands try to grasp them

But in a blink of

only one grǽg eye

The leaves begin to

Burn once they hit the

Molten bubbling ground

The hands then tremble

At the sight of the…!

*SCREAMS* & *RUNS*

Its not lava~but

Sea.ring blood from the

Eyes of the pine tree.

#Chantsforthedisenchanted

10.23.2022 Sundae

cup me in some sweet condolences 

leave me dusted in saccharin 

after honey licks

there on your lips

autumn burst fruits

and

bruises

my blush of knowing

too much

my rush of tasting

enough

to be hooked on your liqueur 

lips. granulated resistance 

spent . 

echo.

fullness empties

echo.

post

coitus tristesse 

echo.

sugar the fruits'

echo