During National Poetry Month, I'm celebrating by sharing poems from community members and newsletter subscribers!
If you'd like to participate, send me 1-3 poems along with a brief third-person bio and a recent photo if desired.
I'm thrilled to continue the celebration of poetry this weekend with a trio of gorgeous poems by Flo Oy Wong. I met Flo when I served as Cupertino Poet Laureate, and she's never stopped amazing me with her poetry and endless energy!
in cusp of night
in cusp of night
zipping the day
trees stand in stillness
though light still glows
leafless limbs behave
like young ones napping
when will branches sway again
to answer charge of the wind
steaming splashing hot
chunks of tender chicken
some big some small
afloat in reddish golden broth
steaming splashing hot
from the earth a bouquet
of diced white potatoes
orangey carrot bits
steaming splashing hot
from the farmer ribbed celery
hints of wilted white onions
kiss of aromatic turmeric
steaming splashing hot
from the potter orange bowl
circular sturdy openings
broth gurgling to the top
steaming splashing hot
from the grandson who cooks
peck for his pensive Paw Paw*
reposing in glossamer glow
steaming splashing hot
green eyes, dark eyes
green eyes
transparent
color of jade
hints of yellow
as the man bends
he comes closer
crossing uninvited
into my space
too close
fear gushes
wrapping my tension
i sniff his unwashed body
choking, i am aware
that i, an elder asian,
am alone
dark eyes
penetration
hints of kindness
perhaps wisdom
i stand in line
to buy takeout
chinese food
when i see him
our eyes connect
he speaks
i listen
he asks me
to buy him
some fried chicken
i buy what $3 can
purchase
my husband
standing behind me
says that’s good
***
About the poet:
Flo Oy Wong, artist/poet/educator, was born and raised in Oakland Chinatown. In 2018, she published her first book of art and poetry, Dreaming of Glistening Pomelos. She is a member of The Last Hoisan Poets, a group that reads in their ancestral dialect of Hoisan-wa. She studied art at De Anza College and Foothill College. She is a member of Ron Miller’s Poetry Circle and the Fab 5 poetry group.