I remember your breath on my skin
I responded in goosebumps
Your touch kept me secured
in the shape of a heart
You called me a cute name
I paused, melted and became undone
There are so many moments I remember
They match every moment of our today
I fall deeper and deeper in love with you
The Boat People
Living Poetry word prompt writing
“I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly without complexities or pride.
I love you because I know no other way than this.
So close that your hand, on my chest, is my hand.”
You recite Neruda to your dying husband
in the storm this boat cannot withstand
We may not enter the safe haven after all
My last sight of this calamity is love on display
I thank you fellow refugees
When I close my eyes,
I know the goodness of God
In Your World
Six sentence story word prompt – stroke
I am dreading to walk the long sterile corridor leading to your room, which looks extra clinical today.
There is only duty left, instead of any maternal attachment, that I am here every week to see you.
I am a bit envious that you don’t remember my name; you don’t hold me in your arms like you used to; but you stroke the plush cat I brought in like you used to with the family ginger cat.
I don’t understand the world you are living in Mama. You are talking to a toy cat like you always did in front of my teary eyes, and yet you are so far away from me.
Love Blooms
You brought me sunrise
When darkness covered my mind
Morning dew diluted last night’s tears
My lashes tasted sweet upon your lips
You tendered me with a crown of frangipanis
Within the distance of our breaths
A butterfly fluttered frantically
twining around the invisible bloom between us
Vincent

my unskilled hand could manage
I know you won’t mind
because you didn’t think
your name would be remembered
or your face would tell fascinating history
You painted every scar into beauty
I am one of the many
in awe of your creativity
and touched by your humility
Once upon a time
I get to know Alana
she wears leopard print dress
and flaming red nails
she plays the keyboard
in broad daylight
to fight off the blues
We talk about girly stuff
skin exfoliation
hydration mask
hair tossing
and stiletto heels
She tells me about Alan
in corroboree
he wore coloured feathers
and ornamental coverings
he painted white and red bands
across his chest
Alana doesn’t go to corroboree anymore
she cannot bear to see herself
in Alan’s persona with
bare chest and hairy body
she misses her mob
and the land
It is easier to talk about
the Summer makeup trend
balayage hairstyle
slimming corset
and hot pink toes
Writer’s note: This poem was published in Australian Poetry Journal. It highlighted the struggle of being a transgender Aboriginal Australian. They are up against the disapproval of their mobs and elders. The constant feeling of the need to live a double life often adds the stress and mental strain, and subsequently has a negative impact on their mental health.
Social Justice Inks
Date Night
Let’s go to Luna Park at night
When exhausted children heading home with big smiles
You and I go for rides in empty carts
We warm up with Ferris Wheel slowly climbs into the sky
watching twinkling lights
Bring back teenager romance on the Tango Train
Our breaths and bodies pulled in one by physics
Loosen ourselves on the Boomerang Rollercoaster
Momentarily break off restraint like horizontal yoyos
Before Mr Whippy’s iconic ice cream treat
Catch the thrill of the Hair Raiser
We get temporary hairdos
Mistaken our stomachs for hearts
I had a wonderful night darling
You made me smile and shine
We kissed under the lights
falling once again in each other’s eyes
Farewell My Lover
This is written based on Living Poetry’s Music prompt: Concierto de Aranjuez: II. Adagio
The tangerine sun sets on our last night together
The breeze is humid
an excuse to our moistened eyes
Your skin still burns on mine
My hair is still soaked in the summer heat
Tonight the song is sorrowful
Tomorrow you’ll saddle for a foreign land
leaving my wanting heart behind
How much slower a second can be
split in half, even a quarter
The moon shows her sad face
glistened with tears blotting the sky
My soul wilts
Latching on your strength
till the morning glow bathes our sin clean
The last sight of you
Combing the mane before your journey
My hair become fragrant and sleek
Dust and cracked soil takes you away
Our love is tainted all over again