milkface/

for I.A وش اللوم ما بنزاح بلملعقه” زي اثر سلم الحوش مابختفي وسط الطين في المطر “كان ظنك جرس الحقيقه وانا ابكم مبتسم اسقي الجميع بكاس تعرفينه جيدا -خالد التني You were right about him, with your psychology books and spirituality، you guessed in that gypsy way of yours، that we would lose our jobs,

la veillant/

Tu es mon tapis Mon excuse préférée pour Garder mes chaussures Même quand il pleut Je dis “Ce n’est pas de ma faute” Tu dis “Ça m’est bien égal. Fais comme tu veux!” ~ Maintenant, Tu es mon professeur Vielle, furieuse et Offensive Même quand l’école est finie Et ta tasse est séchée ~ Tu

venus/

You are not love, nor has love ever been you. your tresses follow behind you, resembling seaweed, grating the damp sand, with the  names you wouldn’t claim. I am considered an ancient sundial, I have lost time with you. your laughter is the rusted plate I press my hands against, you have not changed. All

museum/

As I was leaving, I returned for one last look, asleep on your stomach, shoulder blades pinned like the wings, of the butterflies I admire so greatly. You pick me up, after work. like wine for an occasion, I’m so happy to see your truck, your secrets clatter to the floor, another clue, I’ve been

cabbages/

I remember the moment when I knew for sure, I sat gawking at your knees, jutting like fists, twin cabbages, two stubborn minds made up, you were counting numbers, until my tongue slipped into a sea, of all the things you’d done for me, the blame washed in and settled I had used my last

rainbows/

I quit praying for rainbows, The night I discovered you. I let my worries fall to the ground The way our clothes had. Shed off layers of that oily skin of a past And looked over your shoulder, At a future I desired. I am counting your absence Not in days, but rather by the

immigrant dreams/

I put aside his smile, examined his hands. He is ungrateful of my gesture, the glowing skin now layers dirty flakes, resembling the foreign newspapers he treasures like gold. It is those familiar letters, his comprehension of them which have kept him spirited, in the land they promised dreams would arrive, he has grown impatient,

alibi/

You were clapping louder than the seals, In the dream I remembered. Your right shoe prodding at the ice They surrounded me with. It has always been the voice of a man, That has led me to lose time. First it was my father with that bicycle, He dreamt would free him of our walks.

tigresse/

I wouldn’t trust you with a paperclip, you’d probably lose that too, funny thing it is though, how I haven’t managed to lose you. Every morning you massage toothpaste all over the sink, hurriedly replacing your morning stink, shedding your  hairs across my bed. I could have gotten a cat, instead you followed me home.

button/

My face fell like a button off someone’s chemise, no one blamed the faulty string or dared to ask, for what’s a mask? Without an identité why collect ashtrays if you’re hesitant of sparks? we walked in parks and pointed at the people we once were, their familiar clothes and conversations tickled our ears, easing