Shield
Every human being
has something of value.
We are bonded with
an opaque screen a couple of inches
in front of our eyes.
Dangling and gradually sinking,
resorting to an intricate string of false
and misleading claims,
but staying safe with
some sort of deflector shield,
as if dropped
into some dead space in our brains.
Your dreams
I’m so gifted at finding,
Finding your dreams come true.
Any time I count sheep,
I wake up.
I put my hand on the stove;
Blunt pain was everything I felt.
It was all a dream.
917
This, where all the lights are broken down
Into pieces.
This, where the color gray gives hope to a man.
This, where the concrete silver bleaches him white.
This, where nothing is served cooked, but raw.
This, where men can say what they want;
it’s their cry, not the clash of metals.
This, where fairness kills a man,
But allows the equity of fancying. I think I wandered
Here, but not now.
This, where a glimpse of a night turns real.
This, a thing too sweet for adults to eat.
This, where the thoughts are the most innocent
But the dirtiest.
I was short, standing there.
This, where the sun never drops,
Doesn’t matter if it’s shaped by us.
This, where I built my signpost.
This is where I return.
This is where I saw a seal in the middle of green.
This is where it swam and danced.
Jin-Woo Ahn is a student at an international school in Seoul, where he explores the intersections of culture, identity, and language through poetry. Drawing inspiration from his multicultural upbringing, Jin-Woo’s work reflects a deep appreciation for the universal human experiences that connect us all. As an emerging poet, he is passionate about fostering community and collaboration within the literary world.
Featured image by Explore With Joshua on Unsplash.
