Shareen K. Murayama

what’s not visible

when reading lips words that start with /m/or /b/

cue too similar say/m/ake lovesay

/b/reak love the difference is not very clear I’ve a great imagination

for suffering today I want to focus on teethmouth and tongue are present

tense words beginning in/w/ are the quickest to exit

/who do you think you are/

starts with pushing lips away I tell and ask my reflection /hello/

/are you happy/

even though /r/ and /h/ are sounds you can’t see on your lips

/what do you want/ is desire is future tense uncertainty is also a sound

crayola calls its newest color/b/luetiful so I know change

is possible I’ve a great imaginationfor suffering today

I want to place my hand over my heart

remember I’m still human

Author Reading

About the Author

Shareen K. Murayama is a Japanese-American, Okinawan-American poet and educator. Her debut poetry collection, Housebreak, is forthcoming by Bad Betty Press (July 2022). Her first poetry chapbook, Hey Girl, Are You in the Experimental Group? by Harbor Editions (April 2022) made the Reading List for Asian / Pacific American Heritage Month 2022 by CLMP, the Community of Literary Magazines and Presses. You can find her on Instagram @ambusypoeming and on Twitter @ambusypoeming.