Pain
Sabbath Night in Al-Zaytun
Men scooped through the rubble, unroofed
a mess of mashed strawberry and bone.
A woman screamed. She’d glimpsed
a shred of cloth, recognized her grandson.
Keening rose and fell, … Read more
Vibrant face of depression

Another flick, a spark
once more awakened the past
Illustrating memories
are alive and always last
I recall your visage with
its veins, … Read more
Aloha I Ka Hamau
Ka’u mau keiki
Holo! Holo!
Holo i ke kai!
Aia ma luna ou ka hanu o ka deragona,
Ua hoʻolapalapa kona huhū i kou mau ʻāina kapu.
Holo! Holo!
Holo … Read more
Shattered like glass
For Azaan Khan
An innocent life shattered like glass:
handlebar dreams once pure and bright.
United we stand at the Berkley impasse
because of a drunken monster of gas.
Threats … Read more
My Body Cries Out
My arms crossed to stop the
Bubbling cesspool of blood
After the attacks on my soul
My body cries out in protest.
Hours go by in mindless pallor;
My heart … Read more
Beloved Child
Almost eight, Amy swims down the lane casually, in a zig-zag pattern,
kicking her feet so slowly they barely leave a wake,
eyes closed as her swim cap grazes the … Read more
The Poet Spoke for Me
The Israeli man I married—and divorced—had parents who were born in Chernivtsi, then in Romania, now in Ukraine. We met on the way to Machu Picchu after he finished … Read more
Bearing Witness: An Open Letter to Darnella Frazier
“Man Dies After Medical Incident During Police Interaction
Officers were able to get the suspect into handcuffs and noted he appeared to be suffering medical distress. Officers called for an … Read more