Bamboo Shoots Submission for August Contest
My Teacher, My Wingman
I was idling in math class staring at an algebra equation that I couldn’t balance properly when in my periphery, Mr. Morita cruised in and headed straight for Mrs. Peralta’s…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Tiger -- July Contest
Ode to My Canyon River Blues (Jeans)
Barbwire snagged the left knee and I had torn it turning away from a stile, nearly losing balance while sloughing through the black mud of a backtrail curving behind a…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Tiger -- July Contest
There Was No White Wedding
In the Philippine summer after my matriculation, I was failing to explain to my aunt via my mother’s frustrated sign language: I was not married. Her misunderstanding arose upon receiving…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Ox -- November Contest
A Rock on Crushed Ice
I was trailing after my dad through the supermarket. We were walking through the meats and seafood section. For a second time, I reached up and filched crushed ice from…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Ox -- October Contest
The Nightmarchers Before Halloween
“‘Kay, Esteban, you on break.” As Esteban stepped away from his position, he lifted his chin in acknowledgment. With a barely suppressed sigh, he pulled off the latex monster hands…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Pig
Ballad of the Canyon River Blues
My jeans were distressed in a time before it was fashionable. Faded now, this grease stain on the inside right leg was from an offer of a tandem joyride on…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Pig
The Family Extant
I would learn of them when the holiday nights grew long and the cans and bottles emptied of Bud Light and Heineken. In languid Ilocano, my elders disagreed on the…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Pig
Our First New Moon Night in Kunia
In the distance, Waipahu town lights scrape away at the black edge of this evening sky with the monochromatic yellow of sodium vapor lamps. Beneath us, we do not notice…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Pig
Eyes Turned Skyward
Like Prometheus, I bear forbidden knowledge. The secrets of flight stolen from the realm of dreams. I will offer you these esoterica. Shall you rise in darkness? Shall you fall…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Pig
Inkslinger, Rainmaker
I zip up my hoodie, my mottled green armor against the modern day. I slip on my true face. I swing onto the stage, the swagger cloaks my trembling core….