Taiwan

noodles drip peanut sauce
between two wooden chopsticks
i am pinching my fingers
outside, men drive motorcycles
trailed by stinking gray smoke
through bustling fruit markets
beneath tropical foliage
golden sun shining
in here the lights are dingy 
plates clatter from the kitchen
a-ma dragged us to this place
she is our interpreter
taiwanese to english 
quick as a light switch
i am skeptical as we enter
the run-down storefront
until I take a bite
dan bing (egg crepes)
an unknown longing
is finally answered
the other half of home 

ruby444

OH

16 years old

More by ruby444

  • oblivion

    plump raindrops
    fall around me
    like tadpoles.
    the ground is sodden
    but steady
    and i can sink
    into greys like
    a dull metal pot
    cooking soup
    on the stove.
    tired eyes pulled open
    sobered up
    by the weeping sky.
  • i live alone

    “will you move in with me?”

    i felt so elated when the winds
    blew from the east and
    tickled me with endless possibilities 
    of what lay beyond the horizon
    that i couldn’t help but say yes
  • winter depression

    two cold hands
    one of fear and
    one of sorrow
    grip my insides
    a bowl of rice
    is all i can stomach
    along with the pills
    i take to sleep
    because my nerves
    have forgotten
    how to rest
    as frigid air
    leaks under