First born
               named Star
born blue and breathless named Twilight.

The first word heard     is the name of God
in repetition like love
     like heart                   like wishes blown across rooftops…
First word heard           is the name of God

As torches of spirits illuminate
     a land named      Sharpness of Knives      and      Careless Thief
An aunt buries an umbilical cord.
You do not know her martyrdom      nameless daughter
after five sisters named Moon.

Pomegranates offer themselves
     Like rubies from trees,
Silk scarves hang from branches
     Soften the sun and smell like mother.

Peeled by daylight      jinns
Jinns who hunt babies as if they were
      pink and white fruit
are devoured by swallows.

A navel smells like rose.

An aunt whispers God into my ears.
I am first born named Star.           I am blue and breathless,
     named Twilight.