With the book release fast-approaching, here is the second to last peek of a poem from Relevant Poetry.

This poem is called BHASA by Leena Joshi

BHASA

the rhododendrons are blooming

they are known to me now as familiars

like the small rough licks of cats on the block

and the buzz of unavoidably gmo pollens

i am here completely on accident

kinless with no real language to lay out in

when i stretch my hips in one tongue

it is haunted sing song lewd and childish

i try another and am burned

by absolute presence the news cycle wiﬁ radiation

i understand the colonialty of each minute

but please it cannot be constantly sensed

that is asking too much of a body praying

to understand that it is not made of grievance