Withdrawal

it begins again: the abstinence.
it’s time to empty out garbages from my head.
no music or movies, no more doom scrolling,
nor comic strips, so on.
torrential pain of withdrawal swirls at heart
body’s relaxed, like a koala under summer shade
then the eye of this storm arrives;
with it, a transcendental calmness.
then the true colors of the world reveal itself.

12.30.2022

Permission

if we were to live without a permission,
to stand with our own thoughts and see,
and to grapple with the question of why we exist,
will we finally be happy?
will we eventually love ourselves?
will we be satisfied with the world?
let us rise above our fear.
let us move beyond our natural inclinations.
let us prevail all challenges.
let us find wisdom in truth.

Unique

Every moment, we have a choice.
a choice to be or do a unique thing.
it’s how we choose to write
the story of this moment.
whether it is watching a video
or scribbling a few words on a notebook,
we make an active choice.
our time will be weighed by its story
it’s truth unveiled.
tomorrow is another canvass
let us find what we have in our store.

12.28.2022

Consuming

after a good talk, a belly full of meal,
and basking in the warm glow of human connections,
I slowly realized all this is meaningless
when we go home
and face the reality again.
we won’t see each other again.
there’s nothing that is connecting us now.
there is nothing to look forward to.
it was a nice rush.
but that seems to be all.
how do you build something that lasts?
or did we build something that actually is real?
will we carry this memory with a meaning?
will we look back with fondness or emptiness?
In spite of my instinct,
I hope to believe we have built something.
I hope to believe we will carry on with faith.
I hope to believe all this was worthwhile.

12.27.2022

Hi

it’s as effortless as a hot knife
cutting through a block of butter
it’s as natural as peanut butter
in between sandwich breads
it’s as predictable as the moon
and the sun greeting each other

sometimes,
people you thought you’d click don’t click;
people you never expected to click do click.
in a world of chase for power
and yearning for innocent connection
we are torn to make a decision.
may you make the wisest decision.
even if you don’t,
I hope you will work towards
a future you’ll feel like yourself.
sleep tight.

12.26.2022

Spark

I felt how warm a human presence can be.
although it may have been possible to ignore
and move on with their lives
I am grateful for taking me in as part of family.
the smile, the laughter, and moving stories
although it was just over a cup of coffee
we had much to share, much to celebrate
I want to work hard and meet them again
this was all worth the hardships.

12.23.2022

Flight & Fear

after facing one too many close calls,
I instinctively sense gripping fear
each night before I get on a flight
there’s too many possibilities
this could go awry.
But I need this.
to know that nothing lasts forever,
to feel there’s nothing to lose
to challenge myself to grow,
I need to go.
Let us stare squarely at what we fear
and learn to grow wise with it.

12.22.2022

Memories

clicking through photos of my past,
seeing familiar faces un-aged,
it’s like a thousand ice shards
showering on my chest
did we know then?
that we’d be like this now?
our youthful days,
fearless summers,
marched on courageously,
eventually, into thin air,
and all that is left are these photos.
new youthful faces,
blossoming in places
we used to be;
I am glad for them.
I want them to march on.
I want them to carry their dreams.
I want them to protect their heart,
and carry on with the fire.
the fire we all shared,
the fire we all cherished,
the fire that was brightest of all.
if you know,
just how my heart became alive
with the fire in my heart,
I hope you know how precious it is.
And if I may have any drop of energy
to lend you a hand to protect it
take it. use it. move on.
I’d be a happy soul.

12.21.2022