like an insomniac owl up a withered oak tree,

weathered eyes waver in dim oil-lamplight

arithmetic blurs and metamorphosed between bane and

insufferable longing,

more miserable longing than anything.

fingers would become one with graphite and lead,

but she kept still, lanky limbs tucked close to her abdomen,

torso contracted,

brows scrunched, lips pursed.

the oak tree shakes in toil;

it gives without rest.

as oil starts to dwindle dim

and spirits fall to a low,

a soft clicking echoes from the oak-hole;

pitying and a little fearful.

soft linen pleats would brush with abashed softness

across the desolate floors.

Her weathered hands would set down

a steaming bowl of rice,

pig’s oil.

the waft of homesickness warming

the eroding bark, softening its coarse exterior,

tenderizing the smooth interior.

she knew to do nothing else,

that woman,

she was never taught affection,

that woman,

she seldom knew what love meant,

that woman.

What does it feel like to be a Chinese in Canada?

Our classmates always fancy sitting close to us in class

And ask us how to find the hydrogen atomic mass

Using us as a practical way to get them a pass

As they think all Chinese are math and science experts, alas!

Our school counselors always pay us special attention

And caution us to relax with a weekly conversation

Criticizing our parents for creating the tension

As they think all Chinese prize homework a great invention

Our boyfriends always insist to be our protective guy

And convince us to learn the meaning of the word “defy”

Reminding us the importance of always asking “why”

As they think all Chinese are hopelessly quiet and shy

Our friends always invite us to a food celebration

And inquire us about some bizarre meal preparation

Discussing dog abuse based on their imagination

As they think all Chinese come from a barbarous nation

The salespeople at Holt Renfrew are always very nice

And offer us water or even champagne served with ice

Giving us trend reports and their professional advice

As they think all Chinese buy things without checking the price

The diners always look at us like we are a big name

And wonder why we have to shout like watching a ballgame

Staring and frowning at us, trying to make us feel shame

As they think all Chinese speak loud because we are not tame

The commuters always leave us along with our own space

And never chat with us on buses and trains face to face

Trusting us that there must be some health issues among our race

As they think all Chinese carry germs that are hard to trace

The government officials always serve us with respect

And explain slowly to us so everything is correct

Beliving that we can only speak our own dialect

As they think all Chinese pronounce “thank you” with a defect

The Canadians always welcome us as a new friend

And talk about Chinese culture with us every weekend

Claiming that all our ridiculous beliefs should be mend

As they think all Chinese are inferior in the end

This is how I feel like being a Chinese in Canada.

Keen eyes watching, every move a thief makes weak

talons sharp as a knife, palm open, feeling ablaze softening their skin

in the reflection of the beak strikes a gold streak.

Possessions so priceless, royalty would grin

guarded for centuries, and even more centuries to come,

protector of all that glitters among the green lining trees,

not a friend nor foe, here for serenity for some

awakening in the forests of ease,

beware danger is all around but of long distance

to fill ones’ belly, must venture near a river,

only to eat the finest of all existence.

Seeking through the woods a free mind for once deliver,

beware the mind said, behind you, all around, inferno

the griffin, lost forever in the brimstone, mind said I told you so.

What began as streaks of light in the sky,

Ended in screams echoing throughout,

And showers of destruction and death.

But as the dust settled,

Nature was an angry blaze.

A roaring fire spreading

And engulfing our creations.

Erasing all traces of humans

Finally retaking its rightful place

Earth once again, burned in a beautiful flame of nature.

The sun shined brightly across the lands,

And the rain gave life to billions.

Flowers bloomed and exploded with colours,

The trees arms’ grew and bore fruits proudly,

Vegetable plants erupted from the earth,

And the waves moved with the rhythm, as the wind whistled.

In just a blink,

The world reset and changed forever,

And mother nature carried on without us.