When the Rains Came
I’ve waited so long for the rains,
that today, when the clouds sailed,
I stayed inside, listening to the thunder.
You wrote a poem for a beloved’s touch
on wet nights. I sailed with you
in the cool, dark afternoon, your words
like paper boats on puddles,
dreaming of reaching churches
and cemeteries under oaks,
my eyes and hair heavy with raindrops.
I imagine the green and orange and red
of gardens washed by monsoons.
Your poem made me ache, inevitably,
like waterfalls on mountainsides
calling out to every passer-by.
I’ve waited so long for rain,
that when it came,
I could not bear to watch,
and stayed inside, and read
you instead
Instructions on How to Fall in Love Again
First, think of Langston Hughes
and his Eve whose eyes
were a bit too bold —
then, look into my eyes
to catch the flash of quickening desire.
Third step is to dream up perfection
(or, you can even adorn each imperfection
with a flower).
Fourth, you need to think again:
what if you actually touched
a colour-emitting disco-ball
or a star shimmering hot?
Next — is to touch —
let your index finger caress
a soft cheek, or let
our lips speak in whispers,
pressed together, striving for fire.
Sixth is to obliterate the many pasts,
and kiss as if this love will be
your last.