Poetry by Melody Wang

            ​Stephen Kruso CC




Ordinary

i. 
I recognize so much of him in you,
fragments of him suffering all over again – 
the striving for unattainable perfection,
that stoic need to be a pillar of strength
 
You cling to the most familiar constant: 
that ill-fitting garb                     hanging in the closet
the only tangible thing             you thought
left for you                                    to fill
 
ii.
Years ago, I walked with him on the beach, overcast 
sky and winds carrying a seagull, injured wing 
trembling. We could only watch helplessly 
as it struggled in the air just out of reach - 
 
We stayed a while until it vanished 
from sight, not knowing if it flew  
to kinder pastures or if the sea's 
darkness reclaimed its own
 
iii. 
Dear brother, please do not discount 
                 yourself preemptively; this world 
                 does enough of that
 
Promise me you'll whisper 
                fiercely to yourself the things 
                you know to be true
 
Burrow your way out of the storm
                & when you least expect it,
                you will transcend
​



Melody Wang currently resides in sunny Southern California with her dear husband. In her free time, she dabbles in piano composition and also enjoys hiking, baking, and playing with her dogs.