Short story

I guess it was 15 years ago
I wanted to write a story
adolescent me was feverish with dreams
dreams of passion, adventure, and freedom
now that I think of it,
past 15 years had some of that
maybe, with a bit of luck, I lived my life like
how I wanted to write that story
I am grateful for it, truly
it hurt sometimes,
but it’s been really beautiful.

4.14.2022

Reminiscence

warm breeze of Spring air, thank you.
because of your gentle touch in the morning,
I remembered the times I was happy.
times that I had emotions,
times that my spirit was free
times that had I lived, instead of surviving.

I thought, one day, it would come back:
all the joys, glories, and innocence
yet now I stand on trial that could end it all.

No regrets, no matter what others say.
I’m grateful for the memories.

4.8.2022

Three, Six

yes, I am quite certain now
the time has accelerated somehow
smiles of warmth washed to six
wild parade of blurry matches to three
only time stamp on an old dee-ess-el-ar
revealed a trick dorment between ears
perhaps a sign to run forward faster
perhaps a sign to cherish things slower
I wave a good-bye to sunset
now I understand how it was meant to be spent
3.25.2022

Hi

hi it’s good to see you again
it’s unfortunate to meet in this moment
too coincidental and easily mistakable
but I say the truth plainly: nothing happened.
if you want to leave, feel free to.
of course I will miss you
but if it is not meant to be, let it be
perhaps it’s a price I pay for one of past sins
it is an honor to have met you
you’ve inspired me with your brilliance and charisma found in leader of truth
still,
it is my hope to see you again.
if ever, will I get a chance, I’ll hold onto it as dearly as I can
for it means more than ‘un million de bagels’
parce que it is Spring, after all.

3.16.2022

Advice

이제는 연락을 안하게 된
(그래서 미안한 마음이 들기도 한)
어느 한 분께서 해주신 말씀이,
“우리는 살면서 부모님을 자주 원망하지만
부모님께서 우리를 키우는게 얼마나 힘든지
우린 이해를 해야한다” 고 말씀해 주셨다.
나이를 한참 먹은 지금도
종종 기억해야하는
주옥 같은 조언이다.

someone, whom I no longer talk to
(and whom I feel apologetic for doing so)
once told me this:
“we often blame things to our parents
but we must come to a realization
that raising human beings such as us
is not such an easy feat”
these are precious words
that I have to keep remembering
even as I have aged this much.

3.8.2022

Solo

“from ash to ash”
it’s the only words I remember
from that one lazy afternoon
as the sunset refracted in the mirror
hung on a door next to a post-it note

like the moon hung on an azure summer sky
shining through a sun window
like the lush tree branches humming in waves
the words imprinted in a lonesome memory
imploring the meaning yet unknown

had I known the path I’ve chosen
were filled with such bitter tears
just to see that smile under the sunrise
I may still walk the same walk I’d taken

perhaps, maybe with less weight, because
we are all alone in the end.

3.5.2022

Fake

enough with your hypocrisy
facade of generosity for humanity
you are no more than a next mortal
with all the flaws and weaknesses;
atrocities you commit,
shameful things you do in a pit
all lie in the shadow under the sun
no matter how you try to hide it

learn your flaws with hugs
and wash ‘em in river of sorrow
wake up in clarity and rise again.
you must rise again
to face the world
and atone for it.

2.24.2022