Tag: heart

Guardians

RalphLeave a comment

In the early evening in New York City,

I walked into a tin can subway train

from Washington Heights station infested with mice,

pulled out my MacBook, and start typing away my research paper.

My concentration was broken only

when three convivial middle aged Black joggers entered the same car.

In between giggles of two women, the Black man said —

“Whew, did not know this neighborhood that safe!”

And each set in a respective seats that formed a triangle around me.

Proud, dignified, exhuming adrenergic from a recent run,

they laughed and chatted like a clear-day sunlight.

Among them in my feigned naïveté and gravitas, I basked in their magnificence.

As the train rumbled through into the Downtown New York,

People started coming in — armored in Patagonia vests, Theory coats, and On sneakers.

As the chirping of young, flush, White professionals, lauding their inebriated blindness grew louder

the three gradually became mum, withering into three tree branches.

Soon, the quietly exited the car.

I left the roaring subway car after a couple stops.

Their story had smeared on my heart

And I knew I would remember them for a long time,

keeping their secret to myself.

4.21.2026

바람

RalphLeave a comment 
오랜만에 언덕을 올라 갔을 때
바람이 불었다. 
익숙하면서도 새로운 바람이
내 손끝에서 팔과 어깨를 스쳐 갔을 때
수년 전의 사람이 떠올려졌다. 
놓을 저녁과 부드럽게 어울리던 그 미소가
서서히 내 가슴 속에 물들어 갈 때
차갑게 응어리진 무언가가 녹아들 때
고개들어 태양을 마주 보며 말하였다. 
고맙다고. 
지켜봐 달라고. 

4.18.2026

Further

RalphLeave a comment

To have the strength and resilience

to face the eternal familiarity with a new angle

to ignite with warmth and joy,

and to stay with each thought prudently and diligently.

To have the backbone strength to withstand setbacks

and a humble heart to appreciate the granular gifts.

To stare at the glorious yearning for greatness

and keep its warmth till the final moment.

To be honest even at the face of hurt, embarrassment, and ostracism.

I yearn for these as I lay my head to the ground

hoping to forgive my shortcomings,

to encourage for the days to come,

and to honor the memories of those who shared their souls with me.

3.21.2026

Comparison

RalphLeave a comment

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

Hope

RalphLeave a comment

I wish for the warmth in the morning of winter.

The coolness of a breeze in the late summer afternoon,

and the song in our heart dancing in circles.

Playful talks, roaring laughs, and feeling smiles,

full of hope, we’d march forward.

We’d be ready for what’s to come.

2.23.2026

Follow

RalphLeave a comment

Sway a little, twist a whistle,

Groove in rhythm, beating a drum.

Bum-da-dum, and here I am.

Dum-da-dum, here we go.

Look into my eyes and see the sky,

glimpse of your soul in the darkest hour,

rising again with a golden sunlight

ever so bright with warmth of delight.

Hum-ho, let’s get going,

Hum-hum-ho, here we go!

2.15.2026

Library

RalphLeave a comment

A small free library stood in front of a porch.

Among the jumble of books and drawing books,

I found an old copy of the northern folktale.

The brown pages of the book seemingly glowed

under the sunlight as the sun dipped into the horizon.

In return, I left a book from my own collection

one I had brought from the New England.

In this tiny house of books,

worlds and stories are shared.

2.12.2026

Remembrance

RalphLeave a comment

Let’s sit here for now

and enjoy this warm golden sunset.

The air might get chilly,

but let’s enjoy our time here now.

I can share my coat,

and we can use it as a blanket.

Oh, I found a stick, by the way,

and you know what? I loved it.

I loved it like I loved one like it as a ten year old kid.

I waved it around, bouncing it on the ground

and felt like it was cool

how I could be as childish as I want

and no one could care about it.

It even felt mischievous, thrilling, and freeing.

I am enjoying our journey, really.

Who would’ve known it’ll be like this?

Kudos for sticking it out for this long.

For many more years to come,

may we enjoy our journey getting along.

2.7.2026