the simplicity of it

the simplicity of knowing how my body hums

each time it surrenders, palm-sized, to the conveniences

of others: skin sliding from bones, language existing

the body, each letter to my name dropped, dampened,

pitched into quietude.            

the simplicity of—buzzing insects, a fallen bowl,

a swallowed yawn—

tragedy behind each broken sound.

T. Le is a Vietnamese American artist. Her art traces the experience of homeland, language, and memory. A finalist for the BLR Spring 2022 Poetry Contest, her poetry appears in SWWIM, Somewhere We Are Human Anthology, and elsewhere. Her art can be found at www.hellotle.com.