India, July 2016

“Why do the vehicles on the road honk so much?”

We asked our driver

“My horn says:

     I am here

     I am here

     Don’t forget that I am here.”

 

“Spicy!” we sniffled.

And the street vendor laughed,

“The food says:

     I am here

     I am here

     Don’t forget that I am here.”

 

Brightly colored scarves and sarees

     Tangerine

     Gold

     Red

Flutter like prayer flags:

     I am here

     I am here

     Don’t forget that I am here.

 

The children around the car

The toothless woman with a can

And the silent girl chained to a bed:

     I am here

     I am here

     Don’t forget

That I am here.

          ~Michelle Winter