Family in Transition Jun Jie stood at the entrance of their apartment and looked out from the balcony over the street below. She enjoyed their apartment where her mother Lanfen and younger brother Chi shared a three-bedroom unit. Raising her eyes, she could see high rises in both directions as she turned her head from…
Forced Migration
Up through the scrub on a winding trail At the dawn of a sun kissed day I strained for the sight of the black snake tail Nearly walked on it yesterday. For ‘twas there on the trail I’d recoiled in shock When the stick stood up in haste, To retreat with speed ‘neath…
The Fugitive’s Return – Chapter 2
Fulfilled Dream Hussain picked up his cell phone and searched through the picture gallery. He leaned over to Grant. “There’s one of the family you haven’t seen this evening, can you think back as to who that may be?” Grant immediately responded. “Meenu, I suppose she’s married to some rich man somewhere in the world.”…
The Fugitive’s Return – Chapter 1
Flirting with Danger Grant emerged from the minibus with a mixture of happiness and fear. He was followed by an assortment of tourists complaining about cramped conditions on the way from Mumbai. They’d been irritated by the heat on arrival and the cramped quarters of the minibus with luggage piled around them as they’d negotiated…
Wendy’s Wish
Wendy at the window sill Anxious looking down the road, Was he working next door still? Ferrying another load? Saw him working yesterday Muscles rippling body straight Glancing at the heavens grey, Had to finish, couldn’t wait She had to go where he could see Her weeding at the entrance way Heart now pounding, could…
Wendell – Chapter 2
Mutual Discovery Wendell burst through the entrance of his parent’s home in excitement. His Mother Gaby Franks looked up from the kitchen in surprise followed by a feeling of alarm. She quickly washed the flour off her hands and dried them on her apron then moved quickly to the front room to greet her son….
Wendell – Chapter 1
Personality Change Wendell Franks stood in front of the mirror in his bedroom looking uncertainly at the image projected back at him. He flicked an imaginary spot from his jacket and to his surprise the spot remained stubbornly present in his mirror image. He bent his head as far as he could to try and…
Child Exploitation
Standing by a traffic stop Scratching at his lice filled hair, Glancing at the traffic cop Ragged clothes and shoulders bare. Baksheesh was his constant cry Tapping on each window pane, Not much cash, but have to try Avoid the bashing and the pain. From his owner’s greedy hand Gets some shelter, little food, Pressed…
Equilibrium
Pouring warmth upon the new born day Sun calls to order earthly kin. Sends sunbeam subjects then to say Let the day’s activity begin! Flowers open up their sleepy eyes, Animals their stirring noises make, Birds begin to chirp in glad surprise Relatives now out upon the lake. Dog alerts at sound of…
कौआ (Kaua) – Chapter 4
A New Life – Conclusion Ranjubai slept fitfully through the afternoon occasionally crying out in pain as she turned on her thin cotton mattress. Her body was on fire. It was later that evening Dass returned lurching unsteadily through streets and singing loudly the latest Hindi song from the Bollywood movie currently being shown at…
कौआ (kaua) = Chapter 3
Life on the Streets “What’s your name?” The girl repeated this in several dialects until it registered with Kaua. Kaua looked at the girl and his lack of language skills distressed him. How was he to prosper in this city unless he could communicate more. “My name is Kaua!” The girl looked at him incredulously,…
कौआ (kaua) – Chapter 2
Chapter 2 – Survival After a while Kaua arose and looked around. He was hungry, tired and his muscles ached from holding on desperately all night. As he progressed back toward the station entrance and the usual cluster of barrows selling a variety of trinkets and foods his eyes focused on a stall where a…
