come, stay and let's talk. it's a good day to be alive
To listen to the story,
to offer a listening ear,
to share the burden in the heart
is a rare value we find in life.
To respect the other
regardless of the standards
and rooting for the other
without a need for evidence
is what I appreciate from a friend.
As I watch the crow’s feet growing deeper
in the eyes of the friend
I once knew from my childhood
I wonder what a blessing it was to have met such person.
12.20.2025
아무도 이해하지 못 하리라 믿은
깊은 어두움과 고요한 고통 속에서
우연히 읽게 된 당신의 글은
내가 혼자가 아니라는걸 알게 해 줬어요.
고마워요. 이 깊은 곳까지 내려와줘서.
당신의 흔적을 남겨줘서.
고마워요.
10.10.2024
I want to see where you are
I want to see the pain you go through.
and perhaps the onus is on me
to live to the edge to know
what you are going through.
I want to be your friend.
I hope you can see this too.
2.15.2024
it’s quiet, but not heavy.
a clear light blue sky,
and bright airy sun ray
leans into my navy shadow room.
I part my lips to say:
“I know you are here
even if I cannot see you now.
Thank you for all you did for me.
Thank you for believing in me.
Thank you for staying with me.”
and I closed my eyes.
12.28.2023
when I hear my friend
going through a tough time
I want to help them.
Listen to their concerns
and rise up to face the challenge.
we may walk different paths
yet I fully support what they seek.
the reason I am rambling so much,
I believe it’s because it’s been awhile
since I had such a friend.
8.8.2023
in a world of aliens,
I felt we were the only ones
who remained the same
as we were in our childhood.
I could only hear their words,
yet I felt as though
I was staring into their eyes
and felt their unspoken griefs.
I drew our my words,
but quickly I learned
that’s not what they need,
but my listening, witnessing
her presence in this world.
8.7.2023
I had a friend once.
we had a good time.
it was nothing special.
we’d share a snack,
talk about funny event,
and share the same space.
it was a good time.
the more I try to hide my longing for it,
stronger, and deeper it spreads its roots
Until it becomes a transient sentiment
in a vacuum of numbed senses.
I remember,
but sometimes I wonder
if it holds me back.
4.29.2023
yes, there is a tacit mutual understanding
between the part-time storekeeper and I:
I am here to buy nothing but for window-shopping
still, thank you for your kind welcome with formal “hi”
Yes, your hand-made recycled wallets
and bags could be my great friends
but there’s an erroneous zero at the end
of your price tag, my man
so maybe next time when we meet again
do offer an affordable price, my friend
6.20.2022
I hope you manage to keep having fun.
Have that free spirit of wanderlust
those rebellious eyes, searching for trouble,
and unrelenting drive to get up again
and go for another round of fight.
But those moments of seriousness:
the sorrow, the anger, the fear;
I hope you can let them go once in a while.
I appreciate you. Not just for what you do,
but for being you.
I hope you keep having fun in this world.
It’d be good to see you again, my friend.
6.10.2022
Make it your friend, your tombstone
After all, it’s your last bed mattress
Laying your head for one last time
In the end, one must finally rest.
So now: strive. Invigorating heart
Widening eyelids, breath in scents
Of life, confess your love in human
Beings, swim upstream to flow of
Time.
Make your death
your friend.
Do not be afraid.
4.7.2019
Ralph with Coffee 