DON'T CONDEMN ME

[rksingh]

                            DON’T CONDEMN ME

            It’s still linked but I don’t understand
            or don’t want to understand because

            I am too much with me and worry
            about her dying libido and my

            own shrinking sex amidst salsa chill
             Bihu fever, Vishu rituals

             ringing emptiness day and night shake
             the age-wrapped youth for single-edge play

             in forked flame carve image of heaven
             to challenge the jealous God undo

              sins of races flowing in my blood:
              I love Him through the bodies He made

              but they don’t understand redemption
              in churning and parting of the sea

              they don’t rejoice the flames of henna
              on her palms nor let the lily bloom

              in the valleys use the clefts and cliffs
              to deface beauty and spike voices

              don’t condemn me if I am not white
              the water still flows in my river


              --R.K.SINGH