Tapasya (one year later)

I see her
trapped
in the embers,

a vision of Kali
burning
in the ambers of sunset:

my friend Lauren, destroyer of Kali

How many births must she suffer?

How many deaths will she ignore?

How long will she stand

fist-clasped, wrist-bound

in defiance before adding

a self-portrait to

that beautiful garland?

the goddess Kali, destroyer of illusion