The Bomb Shelter

When bombs are exploding outside, 
it means that there are implosions. 

Vibrations travel through air and liquid.

My amniotic fluid is imprinted with airplanes
dropping bombs and screams and fire. 

In the bomb shelter in Saigon, 
my father teaches my two-year-old
brother French. "Je m'appelle Chuc Nai Dat."

"Je m'appelle…"

Copyright Credit: Teresa Mei Chuc, "The Bomb Shelter" from Red Thread. Copyright © 2012 by Teresa Mei Chuc. Reprinted by permission of Fithian Press (Division of Daniel & Daniel).