Nisha Mody

Where I’m From #37By Nisha ModyInspired by George Ella LyonI am from hair oil,from Amla and coconut.I am from the carpet beneath my mom’s bed where I sat as my mom applied it on my hair.(oatmeal colored, burbur, unforgiving)I am from the bouganvilleamagenta, my mom’s dream flower,also known as the paper flower which I just learned is edible.I'm from snacky dinners and anxiety,from Nalini and Himat.I'm from the criticismsand act like nothing happened,from You don’t listen! and No!I'm from Jai Shree Krishnawhich you better say before you hang up the phone.I'm from Arlington Heights and the Mody’s and Sheth’s,tomato gantya nu shak and cha.From the drive home fromDevon Street aka Little India in Chicagowhere my mom got excited seeing a signat a produce market advertising lycheeson sale for 1.49 so when we went insearching and searching, only for me torealize that the sign said “leche”and we were in a Mexicanproduce market.Where to find Nisha:Website: https://www.nishaland.com/Where to find Alyson:Website: https://www.alysonshelton.comSubstack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/