MY BEST STUDENT, OR WHISPER-GIRL

for Trisha Sy, who loves & does what I can never


That steady hum of electricity

My squandering love on you

The weight and heft 

of your hair

(what did you expect? for us to all gather around

in front of your desk, leaning in to hear

your voice that was just barely louder

than thought?  but that is exactly what I wanted

to do).

Khmer-beautiful cheeks
Filipina nose
Chinese lips

Say things
I cannot

You love every

one

Like a mother who lost
her firstborn.

Gentle you

Making even the vilest

become him.