the mountain that grows on her back
sugar kane woman, witchcraft press 2016
i watch aji change
into a lizard
as i walk on the mountain that grows on her back.
a lit bidi
a sea salt sigh
reptile kava skin
snake & cross tattoo
my heels dig into her wingbones, circa 1912.
salmonish starch cotton sari
soaking in coconut coconut sweat
i moonwalk across her crooked spinal chord
i daydream across her crooked spinal chord
she hums an anti-indenture folk song.
when the earth shakes
& seawater fills our tin home
i'll be safe high up on the mountain that grows on her back.
beta, will you cry for me when i die?
all sugar kane women want to die.