This is my
treasure box
she says grinning and
gifting you with
a brief look inside
You
irritably
glance back saying there
is nothing in it
Her grin grows
bright
lips curling
up
Sure
she replies
every time I find
some thing that I love I
immediately throw it
back into
the waters

Since, you've been gone
The lotus flowers have flown
The rivers are ceaselessly flowing
But, the trees have no roots and cannot rustle in harmony
Mama, the land was ours

Since, I left our God-given farmland
The skies have turned grey
The heavens are heavy with rain
Both of us knew laughter
We only see a faint memory of it, today

Mama, the land was once ours
Will the rivers keep flowing in ravines
If you and I
Leave the withering wheat fields
To be washed away by the rain and broken streams
That hunger and dry sand has left behind

It takes more than money and friendship to tame our beloved country

The darkness has overcome me.
I turn all of the lights off,
Pull the blankets over me.

The warmness of my blankets
Can’t comfort me enough though.
The sun has fallen down,
Followed by my tears.

No one can help me except myself,
But I’m not much help.
I can hear the static of the TV.
My Dad’s still awake.

Cry quieter.
If my dad hears me,
He’ll ask what’s wrong,
And I’m not good at expressing my feelings.

I close my eyes,
Soon I fall into full darkness.