when days get darker, then i lie
to myself, that light is beyond
the sky, bowed beauty, graceful, true
ideas flourish, stars anew

reinvention, not always fate
pushed, dragged into identity
take this role, form new goals, so great
no longer drowning in pity

gangubai kathiawadi

oh diwali, here we all are
sparklers bright, fish frying delight
oil baths, bollywood movie night
still moments, i reflect on life

wake up, the light is blinding bright
begging you to see beyond, ask
what is important to you? now?
what do you want? … I’ll think on it

identity, named, branded bold
always grateful, never a goal
does it change? does it fade like ink?
or like pencil: erase, rethink

i counted my blessings today
one, two, three: savor gratitude
for there are far worse things that be
than woes, recursive, binary

what a hairy problem we face
can I touch it? no, cover it
remove it everywhere it shows
each follicle, grown and policed

#mahsaamini #donttouchmyhair #hairremoval #hair

you try so hard, at everything
silently demanding respect
oh silly girl, you will find Worth
exists in you, not in output

every woman is a princess
beautiful inside, out, and whole
protect, help, persevere always
nothing can take your worthy soul

a little princess and princess protection program

and it’s back, energy, power
v g h c community
i’m not alone: i cry, i stress
we share, we support, we will rise

creativity, now it’s gone
to return when i’m safe and good
for now the spark has been put out
til i, the world, are understood

ruby bridges

every small thing adds up, piled high
frustrations scrape the glass ceiling
let go, don’t vent, forget, move on
sure says I, perched on my white lie

write. it. all. warped and unpolished
proposal, pitch, idea, thought
don’t wait, please. your mind is too full
release the pressure, now refine

film is immortality posed
stories retold, in framed false folds
it defies perfect memory
yet keeping what emotion holds

cool runnings, secretariat

worry is not siloed, sealed off
saran wrapped and frozen in ice
it dissipates and vanishes
when shared like dessert, slice by slice

om shanti om and mrs. america

will they come home? safe and healthy?
will they come home? safe and healthy?
nothing else matters, nothing else matters
will they come home? safe and healthy?

incredibles 1 and 2, pad man

two hours, and joy takes my heart
what i was meant to be realized
teach, perform, shine, bright as you can
darling’s found her life love, so wise

time close, looming insecure
post its lose strength, fall exhausted
shifting cal blocks, tetris for time
no more said, i’m working tonight

speak your mind or regret silence
those are your choices, darling girl
better to vomit all your thoughts
to you, to someone, to the world

gratitude, like silent glitter
sprinkled gently when all is done
family, friends are so precious
when they see more in you than some

i made contact in distant times
found connection to my mind, thoughts
and through great pressure, ripples form
from a drop of conversation

truth hurts, queen Lizzo says boldly
unearthing self limits and doubts
yet better to know and see them
than ignore and shut people out

crazy ones aren’t relatable
it’s difficult to understand
the contortion of self and soul,
quick changes so she is not damned

competition, a good driver
yet it shines a light on mistakes
uniqueness is not cursed distance
but a success route with my strengths

twenty-nine: penultimate dread
that I missed the milestones of age
but as I reflect on my haves
I am freed from this covid cage