the flowers here wear
dusted yellow

fruit bearing plants sit
in the sun's humid air

friendly with birds
roosters roam in dirt

ash and coconut make a home
thick anger with no place to lay

in the garden of pinks
no bug works
the sun burns brown
walking uphill to a spilled drink

a mother coated in blue

backstreet of glendale
ivy chokes the cream corner
water drips
and drips
the koi secure in its fall

we are the only ones there
family or gaping holes?
the air quiet

I am scolded
clothing too wrinkly
clumsy gold hoops
look of disdain hits my forehead

aunty fights for tea, free with meal
too light, why rose water?
I'll wait for yours.

stomachs puffed with buttery rice
soap opera on
catching glimmers of language I wish
was written in my skin
chai brewing
allspice cinnamon
stikan just warm
I drink two more

the country a train ride's distance
tables dusted and old

my fingers intertwine when you
stand next to me
your body a showing of creation

glitter eyes I catch through a counter
crooked teeth
gaze floats in a smile

though the headset beeps
my head freezes
when your hair grazes my arm

a gold band chokes like
the scrunchie on your head

upper lower back aches yet
it's past twelve as I watch you
mop the floors

paintings on every street
frames of gold
and engraved wood
hands I cannot take

a god of my own making
I look for your eyes from across the room
my stomach dances in the dim light
what I don't have
written in your forehead

silk clings to your skin
fingers graze a little too long and
I don't know why I have nothing to say
when you stare at me

marble carved out of dust

to be pulled away in its hold
thoughts float towards the grey sky
body shivering, too cold to feel
anything other than the water's touch

no one else for miles it seems
I am not drowning but the salt
cuts into my red arm

caves of solace in the
absence of your eyes

you handed me peach rings
I drove along the 405
an extra twenty minutes went by
toll freeway avoided,
pep talks peppered throughout.

valet greets my toyota corolla
crystal birds hang from the ceiling
unnecessary elegance,
statues and marble.

reached the beach from the cliff overlooking
skipped the tram, we'll carry our own chairs
eating bay cities
burrata dripping out of french loaves
let me hold this time and place for months to come.

walking along, gray skies and clear waves
my dad comes up
the air grows heavy
silence weighted the salty air
raw thoughts

the heads of dolphins spring up
squeals and phones leave pockets
how nature cuts through ache.

ironing a white button down for dinner
only use mascara
tonight your pallets of brown and rose
close enough to assess every pore
I am safe in your penmanship.

rushing to catch hues of pink
just missed it a blond lady says
wasn't good anyway.
heat lamp far away, shivering
denim jacket fits as if I
picked it out myself

made it five minutes before closing
brown sugar boba
soft serve you eat so slow

knocked out in bed
driving wore me out.

next day
a bride preps for the altar
I sit and watch sleep hold you close
cakey blueberry muffin breakfast
two cappuccinos, whole milk.

reaching wilshire
I can't decipher your eyes
Mr. L pulls out a pizza bigger than me
new york style, best you've ever had
I hope my empty tank is enough.