come, stay and let's talk. it's a good day to be alive
I give my gratitude
for reminding me
why I wake up in the morning.
why I go through the grind.
why I pray.
it’s the honor to serve
all those who deserve
a decent shot at this life.
I am returning to the fray,
once more, to earn my dream.
6.24.2023
one day, I walked into a ramen shop.
a college student led me to a stall.
He told me a rule of the shop:
once I’m done with the bowl, stand tall,
and shout out a dream of mine to everyone.
it was then I noticed a smile on each patron.
the bowl was greesy and salty,
yet I slurped away readily,
racing to the end of my bowl.
once I saw the bottom of my bowl, I stool tall,
and everyone looked up from their table
for once, a silence filled the air so tasteful
and I told them all, what my dreams are.
I recall my dry mouth, searching for words,
painting a picture of a perfect world,
and I wondered, if it will come true as I hoped.
6.8.2023
I remember the four seasons in that house.
in the summer, I can see the dark blue sky
through a sun window tilted diagonally.
I’d lay on the bed, reading William Matthews.
in the fall, I can pick a dried brown leaf
of a chestnut tree & make a wish
for a magical season to begin.
in the winter, I can see the back yard,
now piling up with thick, soft snow,
through kitchen window
as I wash bowls that had dumpling soups.
in the spring, I would stare at sunset,
glistening in a silent glorious opera
through budding green tree leaves
as I finish packing boxes.
the squeaking sound of wooden floors,
the table of vynil record player,
and the bottle of wine.
I remember the scent of the moment.
5.12.2023
I vividly recall
I was visiting a house
next to the house
I had loved so much.
wooden walls surrounded
a small back yard,
a hammock between old grand trees
and a wooden table in the middle.
soft breeze blew
Glistening sunlight trickled
through diamonds of tree leaves.
even though this was a dream
from my memory almost 10 years ago,
I am delighted it is with me now
for it was one of the happiest moment
I had lived.
5.11.2023
will it as you would hold a silk towel
be fierce in each step
yet flow as amorphous
be loud and clear
but soft as honey
if you wish it so dearly
let go of your fists.
it will come
as it stays in your mind
as you live each waking moment.
5.9.2023
perhaps now is the time.
I feel pain in the head
and the heart feels rather numb.
I no longer feel the excitement
when I win a match;
only vainglory remains.
but this is a murky ground.
your friends, colleagues, and mentors
holds on to you.
to say no to all of that
and to take a leap
takes a fiery courage
to walk a blazing trail.
let us hold our head high.
let us prevail.
5.8.2023
I smoked a cigarettes for the first time
in almost 10 years
in my dream.
it felt so real
I had to remember
the dryness in my mouth
is not the nicotine tar
but unwashed icecream from night before.
let us not let our guard down
to the “one-offs”
let us stay awake
and walk up this hill
towards the threshold
where all efforts will prevail.
4.30.2023
who would’ve known
the brewing history beneath
friendly facade shown
makes onerous headache
judge wisely
your friends and foe
they lie at the doorsteps
4.28.2022
when a chain of actions are planned ahead
less there is to worry or to hurry
if there are unexpected problems, instead
implore your inner strengths and carry
yourself with delight and awe
for solution to all will come to you in flash
4.25.2023
at times, life’s too short to play safe
unlock your potential
and be your true self.
room to roam and roar with freedom
may go a far way for your health
as long as no one is hurt, give it a try
you won’t regret it.
4.21.2023
Ralph with Coffee 
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