Tropical Imaginary

(a cento)

Now the sack of sugar.

                                               That dark
energy I longed for but could not name.

Each line and curve of recollection's architecture

fronds of palmyra, the stalled clock

inside, something like home

the poker, shovel, and staw broom beside

the rosary on the bumper, 

drifting through its days, learning how to be ordinary.

How can I resurrect it now— this love I've had in all my past lives?


Source Texts:
"Self Portrait in Granulated Sugar," David Hernandez;
"I Was Lt. Uhura," January Gill O'Neil; "In Antipolo,
You Can Find a Museum," Ethan Chua translating Abner
Dormiendo; "The Brainfever Bird, Confused by Seasons,"
Tishani Doshi; "Going Home," Myes Poydras; "The Last
Catalogue," Austin Allen; "The Holy Sacrament of
Repression," Katie Condon; "The Dream Incarnate,"
Nay Thit; "Mira Should Have Known Better," Mirabai
translated by Chloe Martinez