Of all the b words used to define
often demean women, like broad
and babe and bitch

I like bird the best. How she nests
warm against a breast
one minute. Gone the next

I am a creature of such flights
such slow filling quills. My feathers’ snow
white sheets speak ravenous nights

Words whirl seed, I can’t wait
to stick my beak in. Here
comes the line, a bird

In the hand, open wide

Published with permission. “Bark Archipelago” is Sophia Naz’s latest book of poems.

This selection is curated by Yamini Krishnan.