A Desire for Arrogance

By Noor Gouda
Illustration by Jolie Nguyen

Bukhoor, Part One:
Pure wood, strong as ever, divided into two.
Softly soaked, in the richness of the silky oud.
Burnt, the smoky, majestic air reveals life’s hidden luxuries.

Indigo, Part Two:
Dear Indigo Dress,

Your traditional indigo top, clothed by the dark indigo delicate lace,
pairs perfectly with your chaste, shapeless, extended indigo skirt.
Your white and gold rhinestone embellishments, contrasted with your rich indigo silky fabric,
bring out your simple elegance.
Your sublime simplicity,
satisfies the judgemental human eye.
Oh, Indigo Dress how lovely you are.

Books, Part Three:
Tear drops stain yellowed pages,
transforming sharp letters to inky blotches.
Wrinkled corners reveal the love of many readers.
Faded cursive ink spells out,
“To Alexander Augustine, my love lives in the apple pie,”
decorating the top of the first page.