The 20 floor elevator rides up and down from our apartment can be quite the comedy. There is not much uneasy staring at the floors, not many stifled coughs or forced nods here. On our way out to play yesterday, a woman familiar to L and R knelt to stroke their hair and have a … Continue reading Elevator ride
Author: natasha devalia
Author Poetry and Art books: ‘Tears and Grape Seeds’ 2025, ‘one touch of the rope’, 2024 and ‘Unseen Veins’, 2023
Zambian of South Asian descent, living in Thailand.
I write poetry, perform, and I’m currently an MFA (painting) student. The themes of my art whether expressed through movement, poetry, painting or as interdisciplinary forms include identity, belonging, mental health and family life.
Wall art
Non - washable colour crayons, on white wall. Created in rebellion by Rahul and Leila. May 2011 (Leila refuses to take responsibility for this or the rest of the wall.)
Medium and Happy
Rahul and Leila have come a long way since their birth at 31 weeks gestation. At 18 months they have caught up with other children their age physically, emotionally and developmentally. Leila recently jumped from the 5th to the 10th percentile in weight, and Rahul is steady at the 10th. In height they are both … Continue reading Medium and Happy
Happy mother’s day
A shout out to all the mums in the house, and everywhere!
Days and dates re: the last post
Since TODAY is Sunday, yesterday must have been Saturday. I don't know the date on most days. I obviously don't have the days down either. Before R and L were born I didn't miss a birthday or anniversary. Yesterday Maher reminded me that it was the 7th of May, a date we arbitrarily picked to … Continue reading Days and dates re: the last post
A quiet Sunday afternoon date…
at a quaint Chengdu tea house. Eleven years together.
The run
One-and-a-half
R and L are now officially a year and a half. Their love for music and dance is growing with them. R has a very cute new dance move. He shakes his head and shoulders very fast and then swings his arms around freely. Leila does cha-cha-cha type steps around the house. She also goes … Continue reading One-and-a-half
Restorative day
With slight fever, a head ache, and general fatigue my first thought is "rest day". That is with respect to asana of course. A typical Ashtanga practice is out of the question the way I am feeling. My muscles and joints feel like they have sat through a ten-hour flight. It's a holiday weekend so … Continue reading Restorative day
The Old Macdonald story part three
R climbed out of our bed this morning, still warm with fever, saying "ayi ayi". Same thing he said running towards xiao He when she entered the door. He picked up the cover of a Baby Einstein DVD he loves. There is a section on farm animals with his favorite theme song. He wanted to … Continue reading The Old Macdonald story part three
Natasha Devalia 