Rotation

^{Dedicated to my mother}

She heats oil
Rolls puri
Drops flat flour into bubbling oil

                               You conquer
                                enforce rules
                                ban travel

In another pan
She pops coriander seeds
Tosses sliced potatoes

                                You build walls
                                deport passengers
                                obstruct asylum-seekers

She serves flaky puri
With crisp potatoes
—we devour together

                                      You demand documents
                                      collect fingerprints
                                      require face-identification

Our choice: eat, speak, wear
Practice as we please
Where we wish

                        You cannot hinder climbs
                        prevent tide
                        stop earth rotation

Like waves we cross
We fly
We roar
We stay or leave
—our movement permanent.