Darkest

in my darkest hours,
I subtly noticed that I was alone.
only the silence and darkness
that felt like eternity remained.

thankfully, it is now pocketed
in the corner of my memory
and in the thickening of my skin
to withstand another tsunami

if you are in your darkest moment,
let me offer you my silent presence.
I will remind you that you’re not alone
and that I believe in your growth.

6.15.2023

Memory

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

New

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

Spirit

I don’t know what to call it.
Memory? Shadow? Spirit?
One moment you see a person,
the next, you don’t see them.
Your friend, your mom or dad, your teacher,
one moment you see them with your eyes.
the next, you don’t.
So you believe.
You believe they are there with you.
just out of sight,
but they are there with you.
When I walk on the street,
or sit in an empty room,
I feel their presence.
And I remember/sense/imagine:
The way they talk,
the way they gesture,
the way they tell you
that they love you.
it is unmistakable.
I want to tell them:
“I remember all of you”
so I try leaving such tenderness
in the hearts of those dear to me.
As they have done for me.

5.4.2023