Five monoku poems by Anita Nahal
i. His heart went wayward layered with my sum of sum, while I learnt lessons Explanation: Loving is not easy and opening one’s heart is not easy especially at an older age. And even though we get hurt again, yet there are lessons learned in our giving the gift of love to another human. ii. Collaborating enriched everyone though they ghosted me like a stepchild Explanation: We gift so much of ourselves to encourage others but it’s possible they can abandon us in a heartbeat. iii. You share my home; I cuddle with your eyes, licks, fur…new language…win-win Explanation: A dog gives itself without any expectations in return. Sadly, the language of our memories doesn’t allow us to do so in return to animals or humans. iv. In-laws, your time was different. No tugging the crown…let young blood glow Explanation: When folks become the mother or father pr sister in laws, they forget what it was to be young and the bride or groom, and they refuse to let the younger folks enjoy the gift of a new marriage, a new love. v. Take my cars, homes, loves, money…leave me be with God's gift to me…my son Explanation: For mothers having a child is God’s greatest gift and they would trade anything just to keep their children safe.
Note: Monoku is a type of poem written in a horizontal line with 17 syllables. It emerged as a form of poetry in the 1970s.
Anita Nahal is an Indian American poet, flash fictionist, children’s writer, columnist, and professor. Anita has three books of poetry, one of flash fictions, four for children and three edited anthologies to her credit. Her third book of poetry, What’s wrong with us Kali women, was released by Kelsay Books in August 2021. Anita teaches at the University of the District of Columbia, Washington DC. Two of Anita’s books are prescribed in a course on multiculturalism and immigration at the University of the Utrecht, The Netherlands. More on her at: https://anitanahal.wixsite.com/anitanahal
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