her eyes,
you’d mistake it
for the stars.
her lips,
they shine
as light dawns upon.
“will it melt
with a touch?”
I ask.
She turns away,
she laughs.
“will you fix me
if it does?”

brick by brick, up it goes

an early kindergarten tragedy
a lonely trip overseas
a set of unfamiliar new guardians
a language barrier
a mother's goodbye
a lover's new partner
an isolated job across the states
different trips to dull hotel rooms weekly

money but no company to help him bide the time
always to the stars but never beyond the brick wall

THIS NAVROZE

Pick your glasses and to each other, say cheers;

As you clink your glasses of whiskey or beer,

Celebrate; forgetting our fears, leaving aside the tears.

As we celebrate this Navroze, let us for the future gear;

For a day, leave aside the extinction fear;

And hope, there will be of happiness, many years.

May the community survive for thousands of years.

May there be good luck, health, wealth n cheer.

May this Navroze bring many Bawajis n Maijis near.

Lots of good news may we soooooon hear;

Let Homi tell, "Hilla, come near, my dear"

And announce Hoshi's arrival in the subsequent year.

Remember we must, "united we stand; inspite of us being queer".

May this Navroze bind us all; and the weather be shiny n clear.

To this pick up your glasses of beer,

And once again, loudly, together, let's all say, "cheers".

ÑAVROZE MUBARAK.

Armin Dutia Motashaw