Patel’s pieces are inspired by an interview conducted with her grandmother (“Baa”), a home practitioner of Ayurveda. The quotes shown are English translations of Gujarati, which is her Baa’s predominant language.

“I bring the piles medicine and shells, as well, from India”

“You can find the shells at the cutlery store and the piles medicine at the local grocery store.”

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I walk      to the cutlery store
sacred cows       dogs purely
driven by survival     children
forced to live     as the adults
they once          wished to be
they all        call this alleyway
home          eyes closed bliss
seeps   from my sweat pores
with each      giddy step I am
immersed  cleansing incense
from          the store’s temple
I cross the narrow entryway
“Shells? Do you mean those
that only children play with?”
The store owner is  appalled
but my request is not absurd
for he does not yet know that
my shells are not for playing
they are for               healing
my herbs are  not for tasting
they are for           protecting