hawaii
welcome home
grazing the seashell necklace
proudly placing them on the empty box
locking it up, as if a secret was burned inside
the waves heard from miles away
but only their voices are louder
shattered glass stains the kitchen floor
uneaten dinner on the table
roses scattered across the room
flickering candles solo in a world of misery
yet covered in dust they remain
storm home, handles off the door
rambling thoughts collapse around
tears filling the pillows
wishing 5 am could come again
yet covered in dust they remain
frantic memorization of terms
the coffee now cold
eyes shutting ever so quickly
pencil and paper, a disaster in sight
yet covered in dust they remain
hospital monitors monotone
faint cries from her
rushed doctors grim faced
unsigned birth certificate
yet covered in dust they remain
lies and deception
shouts and anger
confusion and solidarity
ring left on the bathroom sink
yet covered in dust they remain
the night before,
tomorrow's news unnoticed
open the tiny, dusted box
take out the cracked seashells
no longer covered in dust
grey-haired body alone in bed
breathe in the last gasp of air
everything stops for a second
before a second turns into eternity
hawaii welcomes you home.
-Jeffrey Yang
Comments