Bamboo Shoots breeze
Boy and Uncle: China virus
Boy and Uncle: China virus –Boy, da news say dey attacking people in Chinatown. Telling dem “Go home! Go back to where you came from!” –Dey tink dey went bring…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Ox Writing Contest
Sinker
Swimming teacha tell us, “Da whole world only get FLOATAHS and SINKAHS. Jump in!” I touch bottom. Pull hard for air. All da SINKAHS gasping.
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Rat -- February 2021 Contest
The Ox: the winner is hardworking and methodical
The Rat is gone, the Ox feels lucky. It is said that wearing metal and the lucky colors, yellow and green, will bring prosperity. I wear my gold and jade…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Rat -- January 2021 Contest
Becoming American
Sixth grade, our Americanization was through the Standard School Broadcast sent to each classroom via a wired speaker. Listening to the speaker on the wall meant we didn’t have to…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Rat -- December Contest
Intermediate School: stink, innocence, and fear
After-school basketball was humiliating: choose up sides with whomever wanted to play. Could have eight or nine players to each side. Pushing, bumping and hacking. No ref. I was usually…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Rat -- November Contest
Father Sold Appliances at Hawaiian Electric Co.
He knew facts of every refrigerator and range. Still he wondered why local couples walked right past him and went straight to the haole salesmen. Right past the short, pudgy…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Rat -- September Contest
Boy and Uncle: Test
–Uncle, I had test today. –Oh? What kine test? –Math and English. Da standardized test, everybody gotta take um at da same time. Two hours. –You worried? –Litto bit. –Me…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Rat
Boy and Uncle: Lockdown
–Boy, what means “lock down?” –Supposed to stay home except fo essential tings. Not supposed to go out eat, go beach… –Jes like jail den. –Yeah. –But if you in…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Rat -- September Contest
Boy and Uncle: Mask
Boy and Uncle: Mask –Uncle, what you wearing. Not Halloween. –One mask. Da gov-nah said gotta wear mask when you go out. So I went find my favorite mask….
Bamboo Shoots breeze
On Election Day
Boy and Uncle: Election –Gonfonnit! Damn pen leak all over. –What you doing? –My mail vote. I vote erry single election since I was 16! –Ah, you couldn’t vote…