Survival

Palms sweating- heart pounding. I weigh the risks. My family needs food. They are going to starve up there if I don't bring something back. Sure, I could stay close to the nest- and forage what little scraps I could find along the path that the wild dogs haven't picked up for themselves yet. But the little one needs real nourishment... and that means going out and across. The dangers are great. I must use all my senses to stay alive. ...stay alive. That is the goal of everyday here. Every second. I can't trust anyone or anything in this jungle... NOW is the moment and I sprint out into the open! Time seems to speed up and stop altogether at the same time. I run- I dodge- I made it... Food is plentiful on this side. My child will eat tonight. I allow myself to feel triumphant for a few seconds before I turn around and plan my return trip. I hate crossing the streets in Bangkok.

Tea for Two OR Tea with Mom

A heavy midnight mug,

your mug, Mom, now mine, warms

my hands hugging its smooth

surface, the spicy, sweetness

of licorice tea wafting

the air, reaching at memories

of you. I hold it close

under my nose, breathe deeply

to invite your company:

At the stove where a tea kettle still steams,

you stand in a kitchen, cramped but colorful,

your silly grin, with lips pulled back

and top teeth exposed, hovers just above

your own fragrant and full mug of tea, affection

brimming your gray eyes, your laugh

trickles out before swallowing

the heated liquid to start the day.

Warmed by your visit,

I drink you in, savoring you

in small sips to prolong your stay,

wanting the memories to flow,

this cup of tea to keep brewing,

yet even when the last drop spills

onto my tongue, I hold the mug close,

try to inhale what is left of the

aroma that carried you to me,

still thirsting for another visit.

* I would love feedback, what you really like or what you think might make it better, on this poem. It is still in a pretty raw form--I don't feel like I'm done with it. Also, I can't decide what tense is more powerful or allows the reader to connect--speaking directly to my mom or talking about her--or which title is better.

.