Moving
By Zahraa Chorghay, San Diego
skin stretching like tarp over pillars made of bones
if the turtle carries its home on its back
why do I writhe to make home of this body?
on the cove, the colony of sea lions basks together
skin and blubber resting against each other
lazy afternoons with my family
sprawled on the couch, we swap stories and laugh
on the streets, lilac-coloured flowers erupt on branches
jacaranda petals dancing gently in the breeze
on the dance floor with my friends
music flows through us, bodies swaying to the beat
on the beach, ocean waves crash into the sand
salty water meeting the earth again
my head on his shoulder
nested against each other, joy coursing through our veins
though the cormorants can soar far and wide, they live in groups
but this solitary bird flew far from her roost
(with rotting insides threatening treachery, always)
now gliding in the deep blue skies, untethered by sea or land
will she be lost forever to the wind or someday find her perch?