The Brown Sugar Project

Now, I'm no writer (and certainly not a poet), but while I was at my parents' house a couple of weekends ago, I came across this old journal I had back in NYC. In there, I would write my reflections about my clients, among other things, while I was taking the R from Queens back into Manhattan. I found this musing scrawled on a wrinkled page with my attempt to draw an eye right next to it. I don't remember what compelled me to write this then, but I thought I would post it anyway.

I guess sharing this is a way to help me refocus the original intent of the blog, which was to deal with my own "bicultrual strain" (or, to be more clinically appropriate, bicultural identity integration-lord, I'm such a therapist) along with connect with others who are also Desi through the blogsphere. Also, I would contribute it to watching "The Grace Lee Project" on Sundance this past Friday.

Don't fret, though, I will keep the boy stories coming, too ;-).

At least you'll get a laugh at this below for now :-P


The Desi Stare

There you are standing there, looking at me,
across the subway platform, a fellow desi

are you trying to unravel who I am with your stare,
size me up, look me down, figure me out,

are you trying to catch a glimpse of my inner soul, my karma, my chances of nirvana,

are you trying to find a bond, a connection in this land,

are you expecting me to approach you, to greet you, to embrace you

or are you expecting me to look at the ground when our eyes meet

are you wondering what the two of us are doing here in the same place, two people, same background at the same time?

Funny thing is, I'm wondering the same thing about you...