We managed to get up at 2:00 AM and board our flight from the Athens Airport without incident. Luckily, our chicken was still sleepy so our 3 1/2 hour flight was uneventful. We even managed to get a seat for her - so Dev and I managed to get some shut-eye too.

We are now in one of the many communications zones in the Schipol Airport checking our e-mail and trying to keep the chicken happy while we wait out our 7-hour delay until next flight.

This airport is designed for shoppers. Temptation lurks everywhere - in fact, the airport motto in the tax free/duty free zone is: “Bye, Buy” - nothing like directness in marketing. I am also trying to keep Dev occupied and away from the casino … I don’t know how successful I’ll be.

Posted by Xine at 1:52 AM | Permalink

Continue reading "Where's the Chicken?" »

Posted by Xine at 1:08 PM | Permalink

Mama,
there are moments
during night’s final yawn
when I can feel your warm breath
tickle my cheek.

I extend my arms only to embrace darkness.

More than anything,
I want to lay my head inside your mouth
and be swallowed whole.

I love what I do not have and
you are so far.

Continue reading "For Mama on Great Friday" »

Posted by Xine at 12:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

My mother is a desert
in the deep folds of the oasis
she hides.

And in one breath
allows the possibility of rain.

She is a bell-tongued bird, black
the one who cries —

an old road left behind.

My father was an olive tree
who stood alone in the sterile land.

Now, he is an olive
hardpressed and wrinkled in brine.

He speaks promises
in the tongues of dead men.

I am open
green grass promising

With hands
I create my life
the roads I travel.

Posted by Xine at 6:22 PM | Permalink

Often, poems lie.

Sometimes,
truths dangle like small
raindrops on a clothesline
water
for a hummingbird’s thirst.

Sometimes,
lies are bones
bleached and polished
by sun and wind.

Posted by Xine at 8:07 AM | Permalink

Continue reading "My Mother Tells Me" »

Posted by Xine at 7:54 AM | Permalink

Continue reading "My Father Told Me" »

Posted by Xine at 7:52 AM | Permalink