India, July 2016
“Why do the vehicles on the road honk so much?”We asked our driver“My horn says:I am hereI am hereDon’t forget that I am here.”“Spicy!” we sniffled.And the street vendor laughed,“The food says:I am hereI am hereDon’t forget that I am here.”Brightly colored scarves and sareesTangerineGoldRedFlutter like prayer flags:I am hereI am hereDon’t forget that I am here.The children around the carThe toothless woman with a canAnd the silent girl chained to a bed:I am hereI am hereDon’t forgetThat I am here.~Michelle Winter