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En Route to Bangladesh, Another Crisis of Faith
- Southern Illinois University Press
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11 En Route to Bangladesh, Another Crisis of Faith —at Dubai International Airport and ending with a line by César Vallejo Because I must walk through the eye-shaped shadows cast by these curved gold leaves thick atop each constructed palm tree, past displays of silk scarves, lit silhouettes of blue-bottled perfume—because I grip, as though for the first time, a paper bag of french fries from McDonald’s, and lick, from each fingertip, the fat and salt as I stand alone to the side of this moving walkway gliding me past darkeyed men who do not look away when I stare squarely back—because standing in line to the restroom I want only to pluck from her black sweater this one shimmering blond hair clinging fast— because I must rest the Coke, cold in my hand, beside this toilet seat warmed by her thighs, her thighs, and hers. 12 Here, at the narrow mouth of this long, humid corridor leading to the plane, I take my place among this damp, dark horde of men and women who look like me— because I look like them— because I am ashamed of their bodies that reek so unabashedly of body— because I can—because I am an American, a star of blood on the surface of muscle. ...