I am not Indian nor have I ever been to India.

Perhaps one day I’ll get a chance to visit you.

In the meantime, I find your culture to be the most beautiful,

colorful, vibrant, and intricate.

Your marigolds, those solar flares of orange and gold,

decorating alters and market stands,

made into necklaces, woven into hair

They have always been my favorite flower.

Tiny, closely bound petals yet hardy, strong and lively.

Lotus petals floating off into the Ganges

where you shed the old you to cleanse your spirit.

The burnt red sunset of mehndi swirling tradition

over your hands and feet.

Intricate suns to awaken the inner light.

Your stories of a pantheon full

of bold gods and goddesses.

Brahma, Ganesha, Hanuman,

Kali, Lakshmi, Shiva, Vishnu.

All your vibrant spices.

The warm curry, fresh baked naan,

basmati rice, Darjeeling tea.

Your glorious celebrations

Like Diwali,

festival of lights.

Honor the light.

It always overcomes the darkness

And good conquers evil.

So tend to your light.

Set off the sparks,

ignite the burning fires of your heart.

Let it crackle and the flames burst rainbows

of stardust into the night.

Light the candles.

Send off the paper lanterns

like they’re the dreams you dream come true.

Hope among our dark crevices.

Light up my heart

A fire burning bright,

a solar eclipse after a lunar lullaby.

 *****

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Alise Versella

Alise Versella is a twice Pushcart-nominated contributing writer for Rebelle Society whose work has also been published in Apricity Magazine, Crack the Spine, DASH Literary Journal, El Portal, Elephant Journal, Enclave, Entropy, Evening Street Review, Grub Street, Midwest Quarterly, The Opiate, Penumbra Literary and Art Journal, Press Pause Press, The Rail, Soundings East, Ultraviolet Tribe, What Rough Beast, Steam Ticket, Visitant, and Wrath-Bearing Tree, among others. She has recently published a poetry collection When Wolves Become Birds (Golden Dragonfly Press) and Maenad's of the 21st Century (forthcoming from Dancing Girl Press) and was nominated for Sundress Pub’s 2021 Best of the Net award.

Alise Versella

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