Antigone is one of Sophocles’s classic Greek tragedies, which begins in the context of the antecedent action where Oedipus’s sons have been slain at each other’s hands. Antigone is retold in the allegorical novel Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie. While Antigone is set in the singular geographical context of the Ancient Greek city Thebes, Home…

There are very few writers in my life. My mother and father read, but do not write. I have no siblings who enjoy it. In my kaleidoscopic family scattered across continents, we do not share even the one thing in common. But I do have someone. He is from the past, from before I was…

A continuation from “A Visit from Jay Deshpande”, July 16, 2022. My course professor kindly forwarded on my questions to Jay, who has answered in new spheres of insight. Q: If I wanted to be a poet, are there any specific steps you’d recommend I take now in high school? In college? After college? Would…

For Adam; Karen; and Ellen: At the beginning of this course, I wrote in my writing sample that I hoped to produce poetry that was a better portrayal of some conscientiousness and maturity. I certainly believe the discussions we had, the poetry we read, and the feedback I received in this class have aided my…

This summer, I am keeping a collective of my writing, from drafts through revisions to the version I am willing to let live. This post is for the poem “In Roundabout Ways.” In Roundabout Ways Our reflections swim one over the other, on the halos of moon embossed in shattering glass, blue sparks littering the scene,…

This summer, I am keeping a collective of my writing, from drafts through revisions to the version I am willing to let live. This post is for the poem “Ways of Rounding.” Ways of Rounding With time my grandmother’s teeth have  been ground to split pills: marbles that  clink softly in the hollows of her…

This summer, I am keeping a collective of my writing, from drafts through revisions to the version I am willing to let live. This post is for the poem “From the second we met in November.” For the Time I Meet You Again in November I have to marry —-, I tell my mother because…

This summer, I am keeping a collective of my writing, from drafts through revisions to the version I am willing to let live. This post is for the poem “On Emerging from Lytle Tunnel.” This summer This summer, the pool overflows & the tree loses its limbs. The garden gathers a glut of dragonflies & freesias.…

This summer, I am keeping a collective of my writing, from drafts through revisions to the version I am willing to let live. This post is for the poem “Motherland.” Motherland Mother lies belly up in the shallows,  hair of sea foam whispering around her limbs  of islands and thinning streams. The lines of her jaw,…

This summer, I am keeping a collective of my writing, from drafts through revisions to the version I am willing to let live. This post is for the poem “Baby.” Trigger warning: domestic violence babyshe has a bruise on each thigh and i have rings on both hands. i kiss her bluish skin and she blushes…