Thrive

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It wasn’t an easy start.

I started to find a rhythm.

Not only from around myself,

but also from within —

the moments that cannot be captured by words

but only with each flash of moments

crisp, clear, and cold air, shards of valorant sunlight

piercing through the ocean-deep blue sky

dark silhouette of solemn trees and red-bricked apartments.

As if catching an atmospheric tidal wave

I caught on to the warmth — and knew I wasn’t alone;

I was connected to everyone from the past, present, and future.

United in one story, we danced.

One step forward, one step backward,

on, and on,

again,

and again.

3.13.2026

Damage

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What does it take to walk the line

between inflaming into fiery rage

and sinking into bottomless abyss

when I am faced with injustice?

What does it take to “love thy neighbor”

if the mob is gobbling up everything in its way

taking the innocence, the peace, and the fairness with it

and no one’s there to witness your martyrdom?

What does it take to heal after the unfairness?

Distraction, destruction, or depression

does not appear to be the path forward.

How does one continue to move from it?

The answer, one that I can find for now,

is to move on. Continue with the path you’ve been on.

Make sure you reach your goal.

The tedious chatter will fall away

and the recognition will naturally follow.

And remember: watch what comes out of your heart. Not for others, but for your own sake.

3.12.2026

Renew

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A jogger in white nylon shirt and short black pants passed by.

I thought I caught a glimpse of the jogger

side-eyeing me.

After a few blocks of walking,

I have come across the jogger again.

What kind of life would it had been

had I struck up a chat?

Would we have been disappointed

by the disillusionment of what we thought of each other

based off of our looks and vibes?

Or would we have hit it off

marching into the unknown territory?

Would we have tolerated our differences,

or would we hav passive-aggressively scoffed

and jogged away

Sharing a new gossip

with close circles idly sitting back at home?

3.10.2026

Glimmering

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Warm and bright, white light filled the universe

As much as my eyes could embrace the world,

each molecule bursted into golden kaleidoscope of the sun

you were eternally smiling, filled with innocent joy and love

with your eyes, imploring to join you in your song.

Levitating, swooning and swirling in smooth and sweet melody,

we walked the path ever so bright and fearless.

3.9.2026

Mark

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I decided to not to expect to receive,

but to be the one to chip away at a wall.

I have seen when everyone felt lost,

but they all appeared as if nothing was wrong.

I decided to accept what is, and to plan ahead.

When I stopped chasing after the storm,

I found my voice inside; matured with a unique funk.

Slowly was smooth, and smooth connected me to the world.

3.7.2026

Flame

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What can save this soul,

so drenched in the invisible fire,

yearning for quenching solution,

wading in the body of water so abundant?

Thus, it’s named shame,

which ignites at the slightest offense,

alighting brightly the promenade of consciousness

so bright others could see it miles off.

Alas, a source of solace: communion.

In commiserations shared in nakedness,

we profess deepest thoughts and desires.

Reverberating in darkness, the long waited calm

dawns on the shoulders

like the crocheted navy blue blanket.

3.3.2026

Comparison

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Thought I was being smart

preparing for the unknown,

becoming better than yesterday,

well, becoming better *at being better than others* than yesterday.

Instead, holding onto its sharp edge

I wondered why this matters in the first place.

As I sat in the dark,

I thought of the meal I had shared on a Thursday evening.

It was just any other day.

It lasted only an hour or two,

but I vividly remember I was there.

And the words I have heard,

the stories that were told,

and the ideas that were exchanged

are not something I want to dismiss

as just a moment of reverie.

It mattered.

It has shown me something that mattered.

I choose to believe the reason lies in there,

to keep on holding on.

And to believe it will work out in the end.

2.28.2026