you broke me first
I envy the leaves
that grow on the trees.
They’re so carefree through the seasons,
unaware of the Fall.
How evergreen
our group of friends.
I don’t think we’ll say that word again.
And I don’t mind bleeding—
I’m glad we crashed and burned.
I’ll pack up my memories and go,
let the lies you sold me see the light of day.
You broke me first.
bulldozer fish
bulldozers hanging over them like vultures.
you can see dying fish,
flopping on the dirt ground and drowning in air.
they say the world is chaos,
others say it is dying.
perhaps they are one and the same.
drain our air and watch us drown.
a garden in a shoe closet
honey yellow scent of warm potted soil
around packed cracking kitchen
murmuring flowers streaming back
onto the shoe racks from humming pots
split plants rusted in green sun
carved into colored tray
stems blossoming through
scattered tiny air chatter
petals haphazardly watering the floor
wild sweet dirt hanging off dark shoes and cigarettes
tattooed stains of leafy walnut water
and shimmering stars in the window
Regina Kim is a high school student in Seoul with a fervent love for literature and creative writing. She draws inspiration from her cultural surroundings and personal experiences to craft narratives that resonate with authenticity and emotional depth. Regina’s writing explores themes of identity, belonging, and the human condition, reflecting her curiosity about the world and her desire to connect with others through storytelling. When she’s not writing, Regina enjoys reading classic literature and exploring new cafes in her vibrant city.
Featured image by William Warby.
