my body
is my body.
let me do
as i please.
paint a
never-ending galaxy
of stars
and planets
on my back.
write a
story of heartbreak
and sadness
on my stomach.
plant a
garden of roses
between my thighs.
ink your
name
on my *******
so that i may
always have you
near my heart.
swim in
the roaring oceans
of my mind
and pick up
stray seashells.
my body
is my body.
let me do
as i please.

Sending vines of thorns
to grow upon high stone walls.

  *- I will touch every star in the sky...

kid: what are those words?
me: I'm writing poetry.

kid: party tray?
me: poetry.

kid: polo tree?
me: poetry.

kid: poe uh chee?
me: close enough.

I love it like when people sing incorrect lyrics. But more, because kid has the cute and is missing a tooth.

In this tightly interwoven
tapestry of
           silks and cottons
softness upon stems
an intricately-*****
                     journey
manifesto of life
        I find myself in
patchwork landscapes
of ochre and
rust turning
           turquoise
earthern shades
of cumin and cardamom
cloves and coriander
piquant red of paprika
alighting the senses
My fingers reach out
to sift the powder
to crush
fragrant fronds
of fresh basil and oregano
upon the blueprint of tips
allow their scent
to permeate my skin
and infuse tissue
                of tongue and lips
and I seem to be
in this
           bustling marketplace
my blood afire like
dried ghost pepper
searing and brightening
all flavors
fenugreek and asafoetida
to soothe the ache
of emptiness
chervil and chive
to get juices flowing
I want to slit open
vanilla pods
get at the beans
revel in their essence
wear it all over me


In this realm of spice
and paradise
I am flying,
a magic carpet of dreams
unrolling before me
like an unfurled flag
of new existence
The sounds of hagglers,
fading in raw visons
of shiny apple colors
olives piled high
textures of smooth cherry
budded broccoli
of walnut wrinkles
aroma of guava

Music takes over
I am in a cloud of
oud and lute
syncopated tabla
bells and rumbling
taut skin drum beats
Or is that long low whir
simply my heart purring
to the cadence of
       freedom's call?

I only know
that in the whisk
of a second's split
I will savor the flight
and also the
                fall

i.

sunlight,
blue jewel
of the sky,
dancing ring,

solitary keeper,

melting rose,
cool in its summer
bloom.

ii.

how pretty the
crystal green
leaves, the
knotted wood
angular, waving.

iii.

summer stole our
hearts, the sea my
love, in its ebony
waves, blue straws
and indigo light.

iv.

sea, rose of green
summer, blue of
languid lake, dance
of soul, desert ache.

v.

you conjure a spell
of your heart
wanting me
to want you.

i want you,
i say it
again and
again.