the way she speaks

by Navi K. Goraya

The way she speaks 

that small star in her cheek   

(one cheek, for two would be too much like the others) 

I can’t quite place what it is – 

but her face,

it reminds me of Summer. 

Of sweetness

of warmth 

(of peaceful picnics in parks) 

but mostly

of premature proclamations 

of love. 

Navi (she/her) is a Master of Public Health student at McMaster University. Her research focuses on masculinity contest cultures and mental health in Canadian public safety organizations. Outside of academia, Navi enjoys reading (and sometimes writing) the odd cryptic couplet.