This is an Emergency: I Only Remember the Girl
as close to me as skin
laughs uncomfortably
what does that mean
just stuff about what happened on that street
she was there sleeping
we had a house full of rugs
we had everything
what a stupid decision
patience is in the living room, an explanation
through the hole of a blouse
like a window raising expectations
why can’t you ask her to leave
running out of basements
turning on the lights
time moves through
—to give blessings
when there are more bodies than rooms
“The idea of a good father was created, like, 30 years ago”*
when you slip under
the cover reveals unwashed hands
*Line of dialogue spoken in the film: Marriage Story
Poonam Dhir (she/they) is a poet and storyteller currently based in Tiohtiá:ke/ Montreal on the traditional territory of the Kanien’kehá:ka. Poonam’s work explores themes of identity, trauma, memory and the relationship between belief and belonging.
This poem was originally published in the digital edition of Vallum issue 18:1 Invisibility.
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Vallum: Contemporary Poetry 