And after we walk
in the midday sun, the yellow drifting dust,
fingers threaded, stargazing laced
in every step, our perishable escape.
And after I decide instead we should take a bus
because the buses that carry you go only to school
and we sit, bumping hips, thighs, hopes
we tether in silent pledge
while your smile pours into mine
as you tell me your favorites —
yellow, chicken and chips, math and science
— announce you will become an engineer,
say “I want to live where you live.”
And after the bus stops, and we spill
our clasped limbs into the sweltry air, the hungry minutes,
stroll to the breads, pastries, ice cream at the bakery
where you choose strawberry, raise spoonfuls
to my mouth as we amble on, ask
if I love God, sing “God is good,” your eyes
a bright wing, a breathing ache
upholding every note.
And after we browse the shop nearby
and you find a woven bracelet, a necklace
with a green glass pendant — shape of a heart, a future
memory that turns us to where we began.
And after you tell me you will never
take that necklace off, “never ever”
stray from this truth and I draw your body
under my arm, kiss your brow, your cheek,
hear your stacked-high “stay,”
and we walk on, slowly, slower,
“please” a wilderness prayer, a teardrop
sky, a wish that falls
from the bone.
(for Jesca)
The Traveling Light 
Oh how I wish you could just jump back into that stroll, into those moments, and be with sweet Jesca. And yet, I know you will be back there, soon, for your stories, your smiles, your hearts are forever intertwined.
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Yes. Soon, soon, soon!
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you make me swoon! the words, images all strung together – the best christmas lights i have ever seen.
you inspire me! xox
not to mention how i know this moment is/was so precious to you.
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Ah, my dear friend, sometimes the heart breathes these words…So looking forwarding to sharing poetry with you soon!
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Oh, Naila, that was the sweetest, most tender verse. What a blessing for you both that Jesca has captured your heart in such a profound way, as she has yours.
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Thank you, Marge. I really, really do wish for her to come to the U.S. one day, for us both to be able to keep sharing in each other’s worlds as we live in each other’s hearts.
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Ooops. “I think I said that wrong and couldn’t edit: Jesca has captured your heart as you have captured hers!” There. That’s better!
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