We're getting poetic up here. It's time for another installment of Angry Poetry Corner, a regular weekly spotlight on the work of API poets -- not necessarily angry -- curated by Cara, our Angry Asian Intern. Because you could use a little more poetry in your life.
In the corner this week, a poem by Jennifer G. Lai:
"i'm searching for forgetfulness again"Jennifer G. Lai is a Chinese-American poet and journalist from Los Angeles, California. She is currently working on an experimental project called A POET FOR HIRE. She also blogs sporadically.
i'm searching for forgetfulness again,
in the file--cabinet, next to electrical tape,
while a mess of packaging lingerie sits--
the underthings of shipments,
cardboard shells, and well--rested dust.
i'm folding speckled paper laundry,
sorting a full load of styrofoam underwear,
when the ceramic banker’s box
thrumming, rattles in place.
a rhythmic appliance,
a morning train,
like your knee braced
against IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
a sign, but barely moving.
your hindi makes me sleepy
though we hurtle-jerk
back and forth, heads bobbling,
novelty toys to anyone watching.
i notice a tiny drop of blood
thick and shiny, like pancake batter
just under my cardigan.
your hands could be spatulas.
but the keys on your desk are just cards
and your name-tag is too new, i think.
you flip them anyways, showing your hand
shuffled thoughts frying and stacking high
while you greet someone far away.
