Poetry - Sans rêver

when i see you next,
one step nearer the contract-band
and three farther from your kin,
je chuchoterai dans l'oreille
what you already knew;
you'll stay because it's safe
and i'll smirk because behind i wish
what i had, could be
sans hijab, sans prières,
but with coffee-eyes like saucers
and ringlet-halos, dark chocolate
between ammi and baba, swinging

when i see you next,
three steps past the contract-band
and six in reverse of your roots,
je murmurerai dans l'oreille
what you know now;
you stayed because it was safe
and i'll smile because behind i fear
what you have, right here
sans Noël, sans catholicisme,
but with speckle-eyes like marble
and cream-freckled faces, dusty curls
between mom and dad, running...

Ce n'est pas un rêve.