Craving comfort food I challenge myself to parallel park Right in front of Jane’s Saimin Stand Japanese high notes bounce along wooden walls From the old jukebox in the corner. Stepping in, sliding in the red vinyl booth I am a kid again Sitting in a saimin shop on Sundays With my mom and brothers…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Ox Writing Contest -- May 2021
Pipeline
Pipeline You paddle out Wait your turn Waiting in the line up is how you learn The wave builds up You feel it too Adrenaline rushes through you You must respond fast Or else.. The wave will pass You might get a second chance So make it count The feeling of the…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Ox Writing Contest -- May 2021
Heliophilia
Don’t get too close or you’ll get burned. Don’t look too long or you’ll go blind. Admire her beauty from afar. Find comfort in her blazing shine. She’ll watch over you, From under a blue sky. A spark of hope, In her beautiful brown eyes.…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Ox Writing Contest -- May 2021
Stuck in a Box
Small and suffocating Overwhelming emotion Panic and anxiety Everything I am used to Boundaries and borders I would never step outside It might be better this way Keep the truth hidden inside Fear will be forever Consuming me at all times Eyes constantly follow me Or is it all in my mind …
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Ox Writing Contest -- May 2021
Society
Society Pay attention to society, society is the most sociable association of all. Are you upset by how forthcoming it is? Does it tear you apart to see society so extroverted? Does it? I cannot help but stop and look at radiant souls. Do souls make you shiver? Do they? Above all others is coexistence….
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Ox Writing Contest -- May 2021
School
I wonder if the person who created school would still put out that idea if they saw how much each year we would have to suffer just for us to get one stable job. Funny how everyone used to wish for school and now we want to leave, but we still care about our future…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Ox Writing Contest -- May 2021
Mr. Mystery Man
Mr. Mystery Man spends the entire day on his porch, watching his neighbors walk by. They give him strange looks and gossip about him. They distribute false information. They tell lies about his childhood. They tell lies about his family. They tell lies about his past. Lie after lie after lie after lie after lie…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Ox Writing Contest -- May 2021
Aloha
Aloha have lot of meaning from different perspective, for example say hello, welcome farewell, or to say goodbye. Aloha is also a way of life. Aloha means living in harmony with the people and land around you with mercy, sympathy, grace, and kindness.
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Ox Writing Contest -- May 2021
Concrete Aina
The sudden downpour had trapped us inside our miniscule hotel room. We were just about to hit Waikiki Beach down below us, but then it rained. Mom and Dad were talking about what we were going to do now, and my siblings continued striking each other with colorful pool noodles. Staring out at the window,…
Bamboo Shoots Submission for Year of the Ox Writing Contest -- May 2021
Fading Waikīkī
Waikīkī Oh beautiful Waikīkī Very inviting you are, brimming with tourists Because of the glorious Leahi mountain rising over And Kaimuki, a neighbor always by your side The graceful ocean Small yet pounding waves Now possess the power of He’e Nalu Which was once known for fish ponds Waikīkī, a plants’ sanctuary to…