Through Window Cracks

by Grace Lee (April 2025)

Through Window Cracks
–
Like an ocean tide erasing footprints
in the sand, darkness engulfed her entirely.
Waves crashed wildly against the ship’s
exterior, booming like grand drumbeats.
The sunlight was a dying ember,
peeking only faintly through window cracks.
–
Her goodbye seemed to have been mere
moments ago, yet the distance between herself
and the land now stretched faster and further
than the sea’s horizon. The memory of the
hasty farewell painted across her mind like
a blurry photograph as regret clung like
rainwater onto her unsettled thoughts.
–
Now, her homeland drifted, shriveled, and
faded, slowly disappearing from her blurry view.

a divine dinner tune
–
when we gathered around the kitchen table,
holding hands as my mother said grace,
the clatter of plates rang like beating drums
while the dumplings cracked like fireworks
on the frying pan. our voices were keys of a
piano. every conversation played in my
ears as a melodic tune. blinded by rising
steam and golden, glimmering sunlight
peeking through the windows, all i sensed
was laughter. chuckles were strings on a
violin as we sang the same song. i realized
i no longer feared forever, rather, the end.
i yearned for time to slow as the voices of
my siblings rang like church bells through
my ears. i muttered a “thank you” to
whoever watched over us, as this joy could
be the work of no less than divine powers.

Glimmering Light
–
The table is painted with colors,
from maroon-red strawberries
to potatoes as soft and golden
as the sunrays beaming through
the tall windows. Glimmering
light bathes the family in warmth.
–
Father’s voice booms across
the table, as deep as the chimes
of our centuries-old grandfather
clock. Mother chuckles at his
remarks. Her laugh rings like
a hummingbird’s soft chirp.
–
My younger brother speaks
in bursts, his voice resembling
the jovial pops of confetti cannons.
His words fade behind the sharp
tone of his older brother, whose
serious words bring teasing smiles.
–
As the sunlight bounces from
soul to soul, so do my eyes,
watching the symphony of chuckles
and remarks harmonize like an
orchestra. The sound wraps around
the room as comfort envelops us all.

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