I never posted any of my poems
thought people would worry
I went ahead and posted one today
Turns out no one cared anyway

I want to make a statement,
A record,
A public declaration.

I want to speak
Words that can’t be stolen,
Words that can’t be painted over.

I want to say
What needs to be said,
The truths I hope
Will be heard.

Because I tried everything else—
I tried to speak softly,
Quietly, privately,
And watched each word
Denied, disguised, justified

Watched as my character
Was picked apart,
My voice locked up
With the truths I tried to share.

Now I am restless
With this need—
A desire that will not let me go
Until I make my statement,
My record,
My public declaration.

When I feel lost I will rise up
I will reach out towards the stars
To find my way back

When I can’t find my way
I will rise up and see the light
I will follow it back to my path

When I have no words
I will rise up and let you inspire me
I will let you guide me

When I am full of despair
I will rise up towards the sky
Letting it carry me on to my destiny

When I am full of darkness
I will up towards the sun
Letting it fill me with light

like a fire on a cold winters day
the warm blood seeps
from my leg
from my arm
reminding me
i am human
i am alive
the warmth is comfort
when all is cold
the blood is my own

She's just like a flower-
often picked sooner,
replaced quicker,
forgotten, later.

She's just like a flower-
Often picked,
Yet, mistreated.

She's just like a flower-
blooming after every spring,
only to be plucked out, to get forgotten later.

She's just like a flower-
so ethereal,
yet, withers languidly.

she's just like a flower-
hush in a crowd
But, well endowed.

She's just like a flower-
yearning to get chosen,
but not forgotten.
-akshitha.

Our lives
are like cardboard
boxes,

there's only so much
they can retain.

If the pressure's
too great

it will break,
shattering what's
inside.

I loved you
like childhood,

but I guess
we all have to grow up
sometimes.

I’m Sorry for the Storms (Now I See)

I never meant to bring you pain,
Or leave you standing in the rain.
But battles raged inside of me,
Fought in silence—PTSD.

The scars I carried, deep and wide,
Became the things I couldn’t hide.
And in the chaos, love got lost—
You paid the price, you took the cost.

I shut you out when you reached in,
Not knowing where to even begin.
I didn’t deal with all the weight,
And let the damage complicate.

But I’ve been facing what I feared,
With help from those who see things clear.
The professionals, the work, the time—
They’ve helped me climb out from the grime.

I see life now through steadier eyes,
Past all the pain, beneath the lies.
I see the good, the things I missed—
The warmth in your touch, the love in your kiss.

I’m sorry I couldn’t be the man
Who stood up strong, who calmly ran
To meet you where you needed me—
I wish I’d fought more fearlessly.

Still, every flower that I gave
Was born from love I couldn’t save.
Thousands bloomed from something true—
My heart was always full of you.

And I would give my life, still now,
For you and him—I made that vow.
I wasn’t perfect, but I tried,
And though it hurt, I didn’t deny.

If time could turn, if hearts could mend,
If grace could let old wounds transcend—
Just know I’m here, and heart sincere.
With open hands and vision clear.

© 2025 Shawn Oen. All rights reserved.