Barako
for Albert
He minds the screaming
kettle, silentious and steady,
measured in teaspoons
of amber clover bouquets
He speaks to me in porcelain
tones slid across woodgrain
awaiting closed-mouthed sips
burning bitter caramel, sighing
agitated smoke signals
curling, calming
this way and that,
he talks in teacups.
First published in Anak Sastra. Published here with permission from Anak Sastra and the poet.
Renee Agatep (she/her) is an American poet living in Florida. Renee earned her master's at Northeastern University and is currently studying creative writing at the University of Central Florida. She is a 2020 Best of the Net nominee. Her poetry appears or is forthcoming in Rust+Moth, Dear Damsels, Dunes Review, Malarkey Books, and the Texas Poetry Calendar. You can find her on Twitter as @GoingByRenee.