It is mid-August and the air is nearly viscous when Hailey steps off the plane. Walking through the jet bridge, she’s not technically outside, but the heat and humidity are palpable even in this metal corridor, making sweat immediately break … more »
boundaries and borders
She sits loud-spoken, settling stiff body on stiff mattress
with soft gray curls kissing
humid air and I watch
her hands sweep upward strokes, needle caressing
beanie baby with rat-punctured holes.
I swear she sparkled with the resiliency
of … more »
On the day Tarun discovered the papers that would change his life, it was also his daughter’s birthday. He couldn’t call to wish her happy birthday, only to hear her burbling through the static—back home, ten hours ahead, she would … more »
A kilogram of boiled chickpeas, a few pinches of lemon salt, a whole lot more of kosher salt, a dash of tahini, ice as needed, and half a liter of olive oil: the recipe for Lebanese style hummus. I mixed … more »
Summer rain dripped down, thinning the air. Although it was a warm day, the fried Chinese cruller dipped in hot soy milk made for a refreshing breakfast. The soup dumplings and hot tea were another welcome and complementary pairing. We … more »
metronome of knife to cutting board
a chorus of sounds
my eyes well up as
she continues without a single tear
down the hall, the piercing smells
overtake us
she hums and mutters
moving to her own beat
a small … more »