harleen
@harleenserai.bsky.social
Engineer. Poet. Depends on the day.
MFA Candidate @ Saint Mary's College of California, Class of '26
-----
I also do translations: awaaj.substack.com
I sometimes write about tech: medium.com/@harleen-serai
MFA Candidate @ Saint Mary's College of California, Class of '26
-----
I also do translations: awaaj.substack.com
I sometimes write about tech: medium.com/@harleen-serai
Headlands of the Pacific,
mouth of the Mississippi,
the arm of Cape Cod,
the heartland.
It can be reduced to parts
but is a #geography of one body.
#vss365 #micropoem #america #united
mouth of the Mississippi,
the arm of Cape Cod,
the heartland.
It can be reduced to parts
but is a #geography of one body.
#vss365 #micropoem #america #united
November 6, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Headlands of the Pacific,
mouth of the Mississippi,
the arm of Cape Cod,
the heartland.
It can be reduced to parts
but is a #geography of one body.
#vss365 #micropoem #america #united
mouth of the Mississippi,
the arm of Cape Cod,
the heartland.
It can be reduced to parts
but is a #geography of one body.
#vss365 #micropoem #america #united
the gaze that surveys
the desert—does it
hold pity as it waits?
is that patience #malignant?
maybe it does feel
a tinge of ache
for the flesh that must separate?
Keep walking.
Do not look back.
The vulture is hopeful today.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature
the desert—does it
hold pity as it waits?
is that patience #malignant?
maybe it does feel
a tinge of ache
for the flesh that must separate?
Keep walking.
Do not look back.
The vulture is hopeful today.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature
August 28, 2025 at 5:21 PM
the gaze that surveys
the desert—does it
hold pity as it waits?
is that patience #malignant?
maybe it does feel
a tinge of ache
for the flesh that must separate?
Keep walking.
Do not look back.
The vulture is hopeful today.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature
the desert—does it
hold pity as it waits?
is that patience #malignant?
maybe it does feel
a tinge of ache
for the flesh that must separate?
Keep walking.
Do not look back.
The vulture is hopeful today.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature
Continuing the ghazal: back home
#scowl, stomp, wail, plead—for those who leave
to spread greenback on bread, never turn—back home.
#art #vss365 #southasianpoetry
#sher #ghazal
#photography #nature #fire
#scowl, stomp, wail, plead—for those who leave
to spread greenback on bread, never turn—back home.
#art #vss365 #southasianpoetry
#sher #ghazal
#photography #nature #fire
August 2, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Continuing the ghazal: back home
#scowl, stomp, wail, plead—for those who leave
to spread greenback on bread, never turn—back home.
#art #vss365 #southasianpoetry
#sher #ghazal
#photography #nature #fire
#scowl, stomp, wail, plead—for those who leave
to spread greenback on bread, never turn—back home.
#art #vss365 #southasianpoetry
#sher #ghazal
#photography #nature #fire
Continuing the ghazal: back home
It was that fish's #mischief that entrapped the bear;
who would have dared such approach, back home?
#vss365 #southasianpoetry
#sher #ghazal
#photography #nature #web
It was that fish's #mischief that entrapped the bear;
who would have dared such approach, back home?
#vss365 #southasianpoetry
#sher #ghazal
#photography #nature #web
August 2, 2025 at 1:22 AM
Continuing the ghazal: back home
It was that fish's #mischief that entrapped the bear;
who would have dared such approach, back home?
#vss365 #southasianpoetry
#sher #ghazal
#photography #nature #web
It was that fish's #mischief that entrapped the bear;
who would have dared such approach, back home?
#vss365 #southasianpoetry
#sher #ghazal
#photography #nature #web
#hum along to my whirring—cut leather, make shoes;
let feet grow in place, walk far, but come back home.
#vss365 #micropoem
#sher #southasianpoetry
#photography #nature
#pigeon
let feet grow in place, walk far, but come back home.
#vss365 #micropoem
#sher #southasianpoetry
#photography #nature
#pigeon
July 31, 2025 at 9:19 PM
#hum along to my whirring—cut leather, make shoes;
let feet grow in place, walk far, but come back home.
#vss365 #micropoem
#sher #southasianpoetry
#photography #nature
#pigeon
let feet grow in place, walk far, but come back home.
#vss365 #micropoem
#sher #southasianpoetry
#photography #nature
#pigeon
in the dark, these stars
some kind of #happenstance —or
today, I happened to look up
#vss365 #micropoem
#stars #night #camping
#photography
some kind of #happenstance —or
today, I happened to look up
#vss365 #micropoem
#stars #night #camping
#photography
July 27, 2025 at 9:21 PM
in the dark, these stars
some kind of #happenstance —or
today, I happened to look up
#vss365 #micropoem
#stars #night #camping
#photography
some kind of #happenstance —or
today, I happened to look up
#vss365 #micropoem
#stars #night #camping
#photography
In a muddy pond
rings clear the courage—who else
but—my #lotus mother
#daily #haiku #dailyhaikuprompt
#micropoetry #photography
rings clear the courage—who else
but—my #lotus mother
#daily #haiku #dailyhaikuprompt
#micropoetry #photography
July 26, 2025 at 9:55 PM
In a muddy pond
rings clear the courage—who else
but—my #lotus mother
#daily #haiku #dailyhaikuprompt
#micropoetry #photography
rings clear the courage—who else
but—my #lotus mother
#daily #haiku #dailyhaikuprompt
#micropoetry #photography
Images painted with words,
goddesses carved out of people.
I line up again and again
to stream through metaphors—
my definition of #Idolatry.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature #tree
#dying #ilovetrees
goddesses carved out of people.
I line up again and again
to stream through metaphors—
my definition of #Idolatry.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature #tree
#dying #ilovetrees
July 13, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Images painted with words,
goddesses carved out of people.
I line up again and again
to stream through metaphors—
my definition of #Idolatry.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature #tree
#dying #ilovetrees
goddesses carved out of people.
I line up again and again
to stream through metaphors—
my definition of #Idolatry.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature #tree
#dying #ilovetrees
How can a 35-word poem hold the weight of histories—of caste, land, labor, and inheritance?
Read my English translation and discussion of Om Prakash Valmiki's poem ठाकुर का कुआँ
Read my English translation and discussion of Om Prakash Valmiki's poem ठाकुर का कुआँ
Thakur’s Water
ठाकुर का कुआँ by Om Prakash Valmiki
awaaj.substack.com
July 12, 2025 at 6:36 PM
How can a 35-word poem hold the weight of histories—of caste, land, labor, and inheritance?
Read my English translation and discussion of Om Prakash Valmiki's poem ठाकुर का कुआँ
Read my English translation and discussion of Om Prakash Valmiki's poem ठाकुर का कुआँ
Today I again survived
the #skirmish between myself and I—
this #savant mind strains against the cage;
the body pleads to be fenced in skin.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #fence #wheninrome
the #skirmish between myself and I—
this #savant mind strains against the cage;
the body pleads to be fenced in skin.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #fence #wheninrome
July 11, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Today I again survived
the #skirmish between myself and I—
this #savant mind strains against the cage;
the body pleads to be fenced in skin.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #fence #wheninrome
the #skirmish between myself and I—
this #savant mind strains against the cage;
the body pleads to be fenced in skin.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #fence #wheninrome
each strand of my #taffeta kameez
are wings in a worm’s half-dreamt dream
#vss365 #micropoem #silkworm
#photography #sunset #jetty #ocean
are wings in a worm’s half-dreamt dream
#vss365 #micropoem #silkworm
#photography #sunset #jetty #ocean
July 9, 2025 at 9:07 PM
each strand of my #taffeta kameez
are wings in a worm’s half-dreamt dream
#vss365 #micropoem #silkworm
#photography #sunset #jetty #ocean
are wings in a worm’s half-dreamt dream
#vss365 #micropoem #silkworm
#photography #sunset #jetty #ocean
When the #rook moved
in unison with the board—
a stampede of currents released—
the birds from their posts.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature #bird #crow
in unison with the board—
a stampede of currents released—
the birds from their posts.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature #bird #crow
July 8, 2025 at 5:49 PM
When the #rook moved
in unison with the board—
a stampede of currents released—
the birds from their posts.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature #bird #crow
in unison with the board—
a stampede of currents released—
the birds from their posts.
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature #bird #crow
It folds sweet with a
malice of secrets
It follows slithering
on my footfalls
Every time I slip;
it waits, for me to get up
There is a #susurrus
caught in my wake
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature #bones
malice of secrets
It follows slithering
on my footfalls
Every time I slip;
it waits, for me to get up
There is a #susurrus
caught in my wake
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature #bones
June 17, 2025 at 4:18 PM
It folds sweet with a
malice of secrets
It follows slithering
on my footfalls
Every time I slip;
it waits, for me to get up
There is a #susurrus
caught in my wake
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature #bones
malice of secrets
It follows slithering
on my footfalls
Every time I slip;
it waits, for me to get up
There is a #susurrus
caught in my wake
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #nature #bones
#Shed this icy skin
of hibernation, sun calls—
return to spring water
#vss365 #dailyhaikuchallenge
#photography #snow #sun #mountains
of hibernation, sun calls—
return to spring water
#vss365 #dailyhaikuchallenge
#photography #snow #sun #mountains
June 13, 2025 at 5:29 PM
#Shed this icy skin
of hibernation, sun calls—
return to spring water
#vss365 #dailyhaikuchallenge
#photography #snow #sun #mountains
of hibernation, sun calls—
return to spring water
#vss365 #dailyhaikuchallenge
#photography #snow #sun #mountains
my face, pinned
with a collection of time travel;
this #scrape is some
kind of gallantry medal
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #unclear #window
with a collection of time travel;
this #scrape is some
kind of gallantry medal
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #unclear #window
June 11, 2025 at 5:47 PM
my face, pinned
with a collection of time travel;
this #scrape is some
kind of gallantry medal
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #unclear #window
with a collection of time travel;
this #scrape is some
kind of gallantry medal
#vss365 #micropoem
#photography #unclear #window
a #small bird
with a big thirst
will turn stones
into heavy
pit_ch_er.
#vss365 #micropoetry
#photography #sculpture
#HeardMuseum
with a big thirst
will turn stones
into heavy
pit_ch_er.
#vss365 #micropoetry
#photography #sculpture
#HeardMuseum
June 10, 2025 at 5:21 AM
a #small bird
with a big thirst
will turn stones
into heavy
pit_ch_er.
#vss365 #micropoetry
#photography #sculpture
#HeardMuseum
with a big thirst
will turn stones
into heavy
pit_ch_er.
#vss365 #micropoetry
#photography #sculpture
#HeardMuseum
Ah, the meandering
about—to find this jungle's rules;
for my daily #meed!
#haikuchallenge #haiku #haiga
#micropoetry #photography
#jungle #nature #tree
about—to find this jungle's rules;
for my daily #meed!
#haikuchallenge #haiku #haiga
#micropoetry #photography
#jungle #nature #tree
June 8, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Ah, the meandering
about—to find this jungle's rules;
for my daily #meed!
#haikuchallenge #haiku #haiga
#micropoetry #photography
#jungle #nature #tree
about—to find this jungle's rules;
for my daily #meed!
#haikuchallenge #haiku #haiga
#micropoetry #photography
#jungle #nature #tree
the #speaker of this house
buried his ears in salt
then the people of his house
bought loudspeakers to talk
the trouble began because
the machines worked too well
the amplification garbled
every sound—old and new.
#vss365 #micropoetry
#photography #cali #summer
#dirtroad #yellow
buried his ears in salt
then the people of his house
bought loudspeakers to talk
the trouble began because
the machines worked too well
the amplification garbled
every sound—old and new.
#vss365 #micropoetry
#photography #cali #summer
#dirtroad #yellow
June 7, 2025 at 6:16 PM
the #speaker of this house
buried his ears in salt
then the people of his house
bought loudspeakers to talk
the trouble began because
the machines worked too well
the amplification garbled
every sound—old and new.
#vss365 #micropoetry
#photography #cali #summer
#dirtroad #yellow
buried his ears in salt
then the people of his house
bought loudspeakers to talk
the trouble began because
the machines worked too well
the amplification garbled
every sound—old and new.
#vss365 #micropoetry
#photography #cali #summer
#dirtroad #yellow
I am #someone else's thought and thinking me is someone else.
In the mirror my reflection, behind the mirror someone else.
Between a strange trust and distrust is life;
I am close to someone but knows me is someone else
~
from the #ghazal by Kauser
#vss365 #bluesky #poetry #translation
In the mirror my reflection, behind the mirror someone else.
Between a strange trust and distrust is life;
I am close to someone but knows me is someone else
~
from the #ghazal by Kauser
#vss365 #bluesky #poetry #translation
June 6, 2025 at 4:47 PM
A #bear, awake,
forges inside the misty #spray—
veiled green shoots.
#dailyhaikuprompt #poetry #haiku #micropoetry #Haikufeels
forges inside the misty #spray—
veiled green shoots.
#dailyhaikuprompt #poetry #haiku #micropoetry #Haikufeels
June 3, 2025 at 6:13 PM
A #bear, awake,
forges inside the misty #spray—
veiled green shoots.
#dailyhaikuprompt #poetry #haiku #micropoetry #Haikufeels
forges inside the misty #spray—
veiled green shoots.
#dailyhaikuprompt #poetry #haiku #micropoetry #Haikufeels
Some trying to forget
the insistent throb of the #splinter—
some searching for a needle,
some splitting firewood, hoping.
#vss365 #vssdaily
#photography #linesagainstnature
the insistent throb of the #splinter—
some searching for a needle,
some splitting firewood, hoping.
#vss365 #vssdaily
#photography #linesagainstnature
June 2, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Some trying to forget
the insistent throb of the #splinter—
some searching for a needle,
some splitting firewood, hoping.
#vss365 #vssdaily
#photography #linesagainstnature
the insistent throb of the #splinter—
some searching for a needle,
some splitting firewood, hoping.
#vss365 #vssdaily
#photography #linesagainstnature
mama bird
washed a medley of berries
for little’s breakfast
#dailyhaikuprompt (sparrow, berry)
#haiku #micropoetry
washed a medley of berries
for little’s breakfast
#dailyhaikuprompt (sparrow, berry)
#haiku #micropoetry
June 2, 2025 at 6:42 PM
mama bird
washed a medley of berries
for little’s breakfast
#dailyhaikuprompt (sparrow, berry)
#haiku #micropoetry
washed a medley of berries
for little’s breakfast
#dailyhaikuprompt (sparrow, berry)
#haiku #micropoetry
A #sunbeam left
without knowing
the flower it will turn
into a sun, on which a bee
will land and trade for
a drop of elixir
that will on a cold day
soothe his throat.
#vss365 #micropoetry #blueskypoets #photography
#nature #blooms
without knowing
the flower it will turn
into a sun, on which a bee
will land and trade for
a drop of elixir
that will on a cold day
soothe his throat.
#vss365 #micropoetry #blueskypoets #photography
#nature #blooms
June 1, 2025 at 4:29 PM
A #sunbeam left
without knowing
the flower it will turn
into a sun, on which a bee
will land and trade for
a drop of elixir
that will on a cold day
soothe his throat.
#vss365 #micropoetry #blueskypoets #photography
#nature #blooms
without knowing
the flower it will turn
into a sun, on which a bee
will land and trade for
a drop of elixir
that will on a cold day
soothe his throat.
#vss365 #micropoetry #blueskypoets #photography
#nature #blooms