Overfull I

I hear a voice
calling out my name.
I turn to find
who came
to see me go—

as I step into
an empty elevator shaft.

The sun, baring its yellow grin,
dismantles my skin,
as I am thrust into an unknown ocean
consumed by devotion
to nothing in particular.
Yet I feel no regret
as I give back
what I used to call my own.

Throw me away
into the blue,
no choice but to speak true.
I fear the sun,
yet I want to become a sun—
yes, its heir—
and shine rays of
removed excess.
A fool
overfull with joy,
no less.

Overfull II

No, the sun,
the sun just shines.

I can wear a suit and tie,
even choose to wear my good shoes.
Or kick ’em off
and sprawl
beneath the willow—
sunlight flickering
across my eyelids.

It shines upon two lovers,
as they lower for the kiss,
and on you
as you stand there,
seeing what you miss.

Overfull III

I shuffle down the street,
left eye drooping.
My calves feel the heat,
from warm tar underneath.
Cars go by hooting.

My heart's hollering,
with less bags to carry.
My skin's smouldering.
Back's now shouldering
my old man's shadow.

The sun above my head
covers everything in a gentle glow.
Spreading its thread,
spun around a trash can
about to overflow.

on my way home

on my way home
saw a little girl
on the back of her mother's bike
we looked at each other
longer than strangers usually dare to do
she even turned around to look at you
checking whether the moment was still true
yet you forgot to smile

such a small crime
only you could convict yourself for it

i hope i didn't disappoint her
you think
as if a whole afternoon
warps around the corners of a mouth
you forgot to move
as if a moment too late
can make a million seconds ache

Aboutness

A bright smell of osmanthus
cuts through the air—
thin,
tear apart
the skin.

Sticky shoes on the ground.
Broken glass and empty bottles.
Watch me perform
a nose dive
into a puddle.

Burning vapor pervades the room,
the sting settles in my nose.
People gather round
the fallen cup.
There is no way but up.

Hot Molten Metal

Oh, I wish
I was stronger,
eyes twitching.
How could I ignore her?

Oh, I wish
I was better,
hot molten metal.
How could I forget her?

Oh, I wish
I hadn’t met her.

Pour it in my brain.
Make me matter
to her.