Remembering my Father

i see my life running before my eyes
i see myself in mombasa, 1986
at home
a majestic sea-view mansion
draped in hot weather
big windows are open
but no curious breeze enters
only ununderstood sounds
night creatures
dogs and cats
domestic chicken
and the lapping sea
i am awake
blinking back at the stars
brightening the dark calm sky
it is 4 am
my father is awake
he is making me tea
i press my uniform
i dress
become gorgeous
for the kenya airways pick-up bus
to work
a 5 am shift
a small airport
at white beaches reach
fun blue seas
where food tastes like food
from heaven
dad, always there
always quietly there
nudging me
ever so gently
out of my small-town-girl skin
in an obscure african town
to look up from the chickens here
and find eagles
i leave when they hoot
outside
a spray of expensive duty-free perfume
from free trips around the globe
infuses the house
and he says
tasunim, ne ke jee
and i
bye dad.

PMS

As if I didn't know this will happen
it happens often enough
every lunar journey, is laborious for me

When the moon swells, I swell
When it darkens, I am gloom
When it swings, I flip

Werewolves are a joke
Nothing ever can beat this
I am murderous Unlovable Period