Meeting Mei Mei

Her dulled clothes stretch tightly, in tatters, over her frail body.

Black tangles of greasy hair sit atop her small head.

Her purple-tinted lips, cracked as they are, curl to form a jovial smile.

As they do, they reveal unclean teeth, which are somehow hidden in her mouth’s gaps.

 

My curious eyes wander down to her bare, filth-covered feet.

A shiver traces up my spine as I think of how cold she must be.

She moves quickly to the large iron stove that sits in the middle of the tarp tent.

I notice the dirt that rests underneath her nails as she reaches for a tea pot.

 

Large and majestic, her eyes land on me as she questions me in Tibetan.

I stare blankly, unsure of how to react.

She rolls her eyes playfully and tosses me another smile.

Then, she walks over with a glass cup and tips the teapot.

I watch as a foggy white liquid runs into the cup, gently sloshing over the edge.

 

She nods firmly, silently managing to signal to me to drink it,

I put my lips to the cup and tilt it up hesitantly.

Scorching liquid passes down my throat, warming me from the inside.

I force a stiff smile as I taste the sour yet creamy milk.

 

My sister returns with a beam and returns the teapot back to the stove.

Following that, she takes a seat on the opposite side of the family’s small table.

She stares back at me while I survey the dark smudges that cover her face.

Neither of us dares to look away from the other,

Each an unseen sight to the other’s naïve eyes.

Author's Note

Be harsh :)

Reviews

[consistentwritin]

I agree with Ceri. The narration was awesome!

You could try to put actual rhymes in there.

For example:

My curious eyes wander down to her bare, filth-covered feet.
A shiver traces up my spine as I think of how [ill she must-a felt]
She moves quickly to the large iron stove that sits in the middle of the tarp tent.
I notice the dirt that rests underneath her nails as [the tea pot got bent]

Tea pot got bent...???...

[Ceri]

I really like the narrative of this poem, I could see the moments unfold in my mind clearly. An interesting insight.