The Light In The Eclipse
Eclipsed casualty,
Like a candle-flame shaded by the sycamore.
It is palpable to touch the obscure.
From a distance,
From where we stand.
A shadow of doubt cast
By the silencing darkness,
A pleasant peace
So inescapable,
So profound.
All senses are reaching to the light.
Smells so sweet to be close
And feels as real as a love note.
A shelter.
A home.
Eclipsed casualty,
Like a candle-flame shaded by the sycamore.
It is palpable to touch the obscure.
From a distance,
From where we stand.
Cultural Appropriation
Aroused by the trends,
Submissive in the moment -
Disregarding the appropriation
Problematic in our time with
Respecting other people’s culture
Without regard
We leave marks,
Thus there is stigma.
Without regard
We damage dignity
We scorn symbols.
Imitation,
Quick to act and slow to feel
Misunderstanding what is real.
Without originality
Or proper education
Here lies the existence of
Cultural appropriation
Tension unfolds
Criticisms arise
Religion and art touched
By unseeing eyes
Persons of authority
Identifying with the minority
Misinterpreting
Mutual exchange of cultures
And feeding of it like vultures
Different from acculturation
Or assimilation
Here lies the existence of
Cultural appropriation
The Good Cancer
Good cancer they said.
Thoughts in my head.
Feeling the dread
Taking over me.
Seeing myself
Float over me.
Looking in from the outside,
Aching from deep inside,
Troubled to find the right words and say
"I accept my diagnosis, I'll live another day".
Why would it come easy?
Should it be so easy?
One day at a time feels like a century.
The dose of the news numbs me.
But it has started a fire
It breeds me, it inspires
I see ahead and see,
Seeing myself set free
I have chronic myeloid leukemia, an illness
A good cancer they said, I am a witness
It dictates not who I am or who to be
But here I am, set free