works by william pham, 2005-present

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Vietnamese Noodle Soup
She invited me with words that intimated
the promise of something beyond
  the Vietnamese noodle soup
    that smelled of
      beef bones soaking in broth,
      cilantro and lemon and mint,
       (fresh from the market,
        opening my eyes with
        crisp, unapologetic scents)
      Sriracha-brand chili sauce
       (invading, conquering,
        possessing)
      and faintly of the perfume
      on the pale curve of her neck.
We ate Vietnamese noodle soup,
  and I left, still hungry.

copyright (c) 2005 by william pham