LEAPING NASIB 1

The ragged tent flaps
like long-legged squawking like
an angry rash before black-seed oil
a resolving lather.

§

LEAPING NASIB 2

The river reclaims my children's laughter
just as a mustang tugs on the bridle
just as the winds suck cries
from the feathered earth-bound
as throbbing pulls toward grief.

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LEAPING NASIB - RAHIL 1

For a split second I hear the brook
Repeating whispers

Like a daddy long-leg
Sprinting over my hair

Like a deep tremor's
Slow build and sudden stop

A burst from my motorcycle's engine
The wheels fling mud back to the water

§



§

LEAPING QASIDAH 1

I overhear your voice from the cell phones
of strangers passing by on 23th street

a white noise as sharp as the citrus-jasmine
perfume you bought for me that time in Tikrit

I'm leaving New York to your press card and
itineraries answering machine doormat return

2907 miles is nothing for you just like five days
nothing for you to leave behind your slight concern

The wind in my ear the drone of the engine
rattles your every word dropping consonants
Like shedding skin like unpeeling undressing
Rolling over the Golden Gate your vowels are irrelevant

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Ren Powell is the author of two books of poetry (Fairy Tales And Soil, 1999; Mixed States, 2004) and ten books of translations. Her poetry has been translated and published in Spanish, Norwegian, Croatian, French and Farsi. Her poetry has been published in International PEN's Magazine, Segue, Beacons, Ice Flow and Prick of the Spindle among others. She is the founding editor of Babel Fruit: writing under the influence. Ren also helped establish the International City of Refuge Network in Europe and administers protestpoems.org.

Tag: Ren Powell