for Mahmoud Darwish
I am from there. I am from here.
I am not there and I am not here.
I have two names, which meet and part,
and I have two languages.
I forget which of them I dream in.
the main character
while Chen-ou
has a supporting one:
life in the promised land
in my mind
there is a room
where Chen-ou
lashes out with the f-word
while Eric argues politely
inside my heart
there are no empty chambers
for Chen-ou
has piled his memories
despite Eric’s protests
in my soul
(I suppose there is one)
Chen-ou wages
a tug-of-war with Eric
for being himself
living
under the white gaze
Chen-ou
and Eric look like twins
same color, different dialects
Lynx, XXV:3
