Smiling at Leyte
Michelle cries at H-Mart,
bittersweet memories
fill her eyes with tears
small acts
cause the biggest waves
of anguish
Life is unfair,
strangers enjoy jjamppong,
but Michelle’s mother doesn’t?
Her absence burns a hole in Michelle’s heart.
Michelle cries at H-mart,
because strangers,
eat jajangmyeon,
but her mother can’t anymore.
I smile at Leyte,
Bittersweet memories
fill my eyes with tears
small acts,
cause the biggest waves
of nostalgia
Life is unfair,
why did I move away from such a place?
So wonderful and quiet,
my only company,
the quiet hum of the refrigerator.
But I focus on my turtle chips.
The savory, umami taste reminds me of home.
I smile at Leyte,
not sad that it’s over,
but glad that it happened.
Note: Leyte (Lay-tay or lay-tee) is the local asian grocery store at my hometown; I moved away from there and that is what I am writing about.
