Fish Bones by Neetu

March 26, 2025 by in category Poet's Day by Neetu Malik tagged as , , , , with 2 and 1
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Fish Bones

You were the guest
at my table
picking on the corners
of the table cloth,
fingers nervously
folding and unfolding
mutilated pride.

You watched the candle
flicker, as restless
as your hands—
trembling, casting
shadows visible only
to those who sat 
on the edges of the paroxysm 
that quivered and coughed,
cleared its throat
as if ready to explode
but was caught instead

on minute fish bones—
too sharp for 
a smooth conversation.

© Neetu Malik  


Some of Neetu’s Books


Author Bio
Author Bio
Born in India, Neetu has lived in Austria, England, and Canada before settling in the Eastern USA in 1994. Neetu’s eclectic work reflects her diverse background as she explores the joy and darkness of the human condition in poems and stories noteworthy for their intensity in brief span. Her poetry is published in journals and Anthologies from Australia, USA, UK, and India. Her poem, “Soaring Flames”, was awarded First-Place by the NY Literary Magazine (2017). She has also been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, 2019 for her poem “Sacred Figs” published by Kallisto Gaia Press in their Ocotillo Review in May, 2018.
  • Fish Bones by Neetu

    You were the guest at my table picking on the corners of the table cloth, fingers nervously folding and unfolding mutilated pride.

  • Neetu Malik: Featured Author

    Neetu Malik’s poetry is an expression of life’s rhythms and the beat of the human spirit. She draws upon diverse multicultural experiences and observations across three continents in which she has lived.

  • Glass by Neetu

    I tread softly in your world mindful of my footsteps

  • Neetu Malik: Featured Author

    Neetu Malik’s poetry is an expression of life’s rhythms and the beat of the human spirit. She draws upon diverse multicultural experiences and observations across three continents in which she has lived.

  • Neetu Malik: Featured Author

    Neetu Malik’s poetry is an expression of life’s rhythms and the beat of the human spirit. She draws upon diverse multicultural experiences and observations across three continents in which she has lived.

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Born in India, Neetu has lived in Austria, England, and Canada before settling in the Eastern USA in 1994. Neetu’s eclectic work reflects her diverse background as she explores the joy and darkness of the human condition in poems and stories noteworthy for their intensity in brief span. Her poetry is published in journals and Anthologies from Australia, USA, UK, and India. Her poem, “Soaring Flames”, was awarded First-Place by the NY Literary Magazine (2017). She has also been nominated for the Pushcart Prize, 2019 for her poem “Sacred Figs” published by Kallisto Gaia Press in their Ocotillo Review in May, 2018.
  • Veronica Jorge says:

    Hi Neetu, You are so powerful at using imagery to depict a scene and evoke emotion. I especially loved the line, “picking on the corners of the tablecloth, fingers nervously folding and unfolding mutilated pride.” Wow. A great read.

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