All Nonfiction
- Bullying
- Books
- Academic
- Author Interviews
- Celebrity interviews
- College Articles
- College Essays
- Educator of the Year
- Heroes
- Interviews
- Memoir
- Personal Experience
- Sports
- Travel & Culture
All Opinions
- Bullying
- Current Events / Politics
- Discrimination
- Drugs / Alcohol / Smoking
- Entertainment / Celebrities
- Environment
- Love / Relationships
- Movies / Music / TV
- Pop Culture / Trends
- School / College
- Social Issues / Civics
- Spirituality / Religion
- Sports / Hobbies
All Hot Topics
- Bullying
- Community Service
- Environment
- Health
- Letters to the Editor
- Pride & Prejudice
- What Matters
- Back
Summer Guide
- Program Links
- Program Reviews
- Back
College Guide
- College Links
- College Reviews
- College Essays
- College Articles
- Back
Reincarnation
there are bhajans in these wicker chairs;
Kali’s warnings etched in persimmon.
turmeric and half-dried yoghurt massages,
coconut oil, sandalwood soap bars:all yield alabaster//virginal thought.
strawberry milk cools my cupped palms as
camphor winds carry mustard seeds and colonialism.
emerald moon, a female scorpion
paddy-field men push chariots laden by Aunty’s gossip (kalu!)
in the marsh lies a kingfisher choked by tamarind’s veins;
but wasn’t i taught that temptation is a virtue?
i praise the milkmaid for her kindness and
recite this incantation:Mother, undo me.
I rebirthed this fertile valley from my punctured breast;
its blood suckled brown sparrows and stained okra plants.
Thence, lay me down, if my in-laws will merit it.
Creator, Divine Feminine, Sun-Gatherer, Desire me this.
serving uncles tangerine biscuit and tea on a plastic tray,
i wonder; i admit.
my consciousness is infinite, but my vices endow me.
Similar Articles
JOIN THE DISCUSSION
This article has 0 comments.
This piece explores British colonialism, femininity, colorism and Hinduism.