eastbaypoetics.com

“This is a law

that

affects what a person considers himself to be while facing the

mirror”

–Shyam Divan, attorney, on Section 377

–

four hours after midnight

i wake for water, wine,

whatever is beside my bed.

–

i am alone.

–

a glass of shiraz.

–

books stacked

like vertebrae

on an altar clut

tered with pic

tures

of lost ones;

casualties in this

struggle for determination

of self

knowledge

of self

sustenance

of self

–

speechless photos

of sisters and mother

brother and father, all estranged or dead

and for this

difference

–

their children remember

the shades of this war–

quiet telephones

unsent letters

words thrown and sound

of empty background

in my reflection–

this mirror that inquires

every day

into the risk of speaking

my name

© 2008 tahminah zaman