The Lost One

The smoke from the incense rises

To envelope me and transport me

Into another reality.


My body's perfume becomes mingled with

The exotic fragrances of a fairytail land.

Cumin,clove,lemon,Corriander, ginger, and garam masala.


I look down and see my feet

Shackled with the bell adorned anklets the dancers wore

I see my hands covered with red

Hinnah has left her mark on me


"Out, Out Damned Spot," I yell...


Shall I go on and look?

I lift the mirror to see

Black Kohl adorned eyes staring back at me.


My history, She becomes me

Through the mirror I see

A thousand year old reality

That infused into me and became lost

She's crying out for her identity

She's been lying dormant hoping I'd see...


Lost in a fog so thick

She could not see the edge of the cliff

And fell from the Himalayas

Only to land

Lost in the Americas.


She walks the streets like a madwoman

Dirty, shoeless, callused feet

Drag her into different directions.

Her mind can not make up

Who she wants to be.


Staring into every face

She tries to catch a glimpse

Of her lost identity.