the herbalist

part 1: departure

tigress descends the mountain

on her back

a flower cloth child sleeps

she hums softly to calm fiery storms

though her bare feet grow callous, her heart aches more

with each step

she goes farther from home

tigress hums for the wandering spirits she passes

their burnt villages are no longer places to return to

she walks to the edge of forest

there she waits

for mother goddess to emerge:

my child, walk on confidently

i am always with you

i am here in your poetry

go with all my love

tigress heeds the siren’s song and does not turn back

she ties her baby to driftwood

crossing a dragon’s back to the other side

part 2: return

aunties gather around mama’s kitchen table

even with all their lively chatter, i know

their laughters are laced with fear and disappointment

mama stands by the hissing stove

stirring pots of  boiling herbs

she hums softly

and waits for an exhale—

the still breathing lulls the room to silence

my love, mama calls

i place a cup of lemongrass and ginger tea by an auntie

she whispers, this will soothe your upset stomach and pain

what medicine can heal a broken heart? asks auntie

hmmm ... what was the poison? mama adds more herbs to auntie’s tea

she is young and pretty ... my husband won’t stay no matter how much i beg

my small hands gently pat auntie’s back

while mama attends to another sobbing woman

elder sister, my child is withering ... the cancer is too severe

mama pricks auntie’s fingers with a thin needle

and massages auntie’s fiery body until the fever is broken

younger sister, rest

you need to be strong to heal your child

i listen to ancient prayers resonating from mama’s soft hum

her honey-dipped songs soothe open wounds

i watch her

and for the first time

i see her

not a tigress striped in valor

but with wrinkles around her sharp eyes

her tireless singing also turns raspy and low

i tiptoe timidly to her side

i fold my breathing into hers and i steady my voice

mama starts the melody and i follow

together, we sing to restore the fallen back to life