tanka cluster

dozing off

holding a Palestinian woman 

in my arms 

our bodies heaving 

with silent tears

.

adjusting 

to this uncomfortable 

seat...

slight headache 

behind my eyes

.

squeezing 

a pre-morning scream 

from a tight throat—

i want to remain 

untouched 

.

reading 

of the

Nakba

warm tears fall

down my face

*Nakba the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians during the 1948 war (and even today)

.

approaching 6 am

reading and re-reading

the history

of Israeli-Palestinian conflict

in silence

.

the wild climb

of some 

kind of ivy—

muggy morning 

in the parkinglot

.

having to wake up 

and 

escort 

a homeless man out of

the hotel lobby

.

so quiet

feeling 

a bit queasy 

from this 

strong coffee

.

someones

aged banjo

how will i move

through 

falling leaves