when you are on a dueling match with someone
you need to give it all you’ve got.
your energy, your prepared muscle memories,
and most of all, your spirit.
and hopefully, it was a worthwhile way to spend the time.
1.15.2023
Duel
Tag: hope
Morning Glory
let us stand fearlessly towards the rising sun
face the glorious beam of the morning sun
silently, profoundly deep into essence
no dance, no words, but the glance
everything instilled to this moment
let us solemnly rejoice the present
the glance is enough
for I understand your thoughts
I’ll be there soon
know you are in my mood
1.11.2023
Strength
“to withstand things that I can’t”
may be a modern underrated life element
so much power we yield when we want
stop and wonder if all’s gone in a moment
what strength we have left
to withstand all that’s f’d
perhaps we run as fast as we can on bubbles
one day we’ll find gone are all troubles
who knows what future brings
but withstanding pain does sting
Listener
to be honest, I am not sure how it happened.
it is as though it was meant to be.
I sat, stared, and let what may be heard, heard
yet, conversations flowed.
felt, deeper feelings of warm glow
thanked, all those who shared a moment with me.
perhaps, if we run each moment with all we have,
we will at least be able to stand on this land
and know that we have done our best
and leave the rest for the rest.
1.7.2023
Vacuum
a little bumbleness goes a long way
humbleness may not be a sign of weakness
but a promise to oneself to be stronger soon
it’s the courage that will withstand shame
and with a clear mind, walk with dignity
and ensures a brighter future for future self.
do not let if not take it for granted.
one day it may pay off.
1.6.2023
Parade
a far way friend talked to me on a screen
a long prepared project presented to a mentor
a scholar presented an eye opening talk
a talk with a genius in a restroom stall
a renewed talk made me a new friend
colleagues who weathered a long hour work
house chores conquered with a roommate
a talk on a bus with an old man who blesses
a bystander who rung the bell for you
a cashier, who’s bitter about your Covid mask
a European woman in a headscarf in a bus
two Hispanic workers asking for a hospital
friends’ text messages, recommending novels
we march on, as far as we could go.
Distance
ever wondered about ‘distance’?
there are those who are so close to us,
yet feel so far away from us;
while there are those far away from us,
yet feel so close at our heart;
for some, I want to hold
both of their hands and say out loud
“you know I love you, right?”
yet not a single word’ll pass through their ear
for some, I sit silently next to them
and they know;
my feelings deeply buried
quietly ignites and awaits for them.
it’s this distance that I am fascinated about.
I wish everyone a good luck for the new year.
12.31.2022
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
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
Ralph with Coffee 
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