If Only

 * Tears Allowed *

11

If Only

Hoarse and stumbling

You spoke on the phone

I tried to offer comfort

My tongue grew heavy

Expressions

were not our language of love

The language you had me learn

The tongue I’m comfortable with now

has alienated us more.

Once Upon A Time

 * Tears Allowed *

10

Once Upon a Time

Echoes in an empty hall

Eyes clouded in tears

The dust writes

Of many voices, many laughters

That once upon a time

blew the ceiling high

and now, like the little one

peeking through the paper hole

seeing only what she wants to see.

Woman, Where were You Lost?

 * Tears Allowed *

9

Woman, Where were You Lost?

Child who sees bubble in a moon

Child who traces hills on grandma’s frowns

Child who feeds the ants, they work so hard

Child who sails the world in the bath tub

Woman with plastic face

Woman with diamond eyes

Woman in hood and cloak

Woman with tongue in the womb

Woman, where were you lost?