They praise our beauty
our wondrous nature
I provide you moisture

as you drape this lonely creek
with splendor so unique
in each passing season

Now and then clouds stop,
to replenish me
more flow
so you can grow

How lucky I am
yet I yearn for more knowledge,
venture down stream
ignoring your occasional scream,

for I’ll stay with you when
the frost blankets your bare body,
freeze my languid soul
I’ll then embrace your prudence.

© Photo, written by Byung A. Fallgren

Often people are attracted to
superficial information
ignoring hidden quality

They say that a lot of Kindle Scouters nominate books by reading one-line
description of the book, no farther, so many great books lose their chances
to get published by Kindle Press Publishing.  I wouldn’t worry.  Other options
are out there.  I would, however, keep this simple truth in mind: writers have to
write what people like if they want to sell their books, or they end up writing
for themselves. Whether it sells or not, writing itself is a reward.  It’s good
for mind and soul.  🙂

I want to thank you all who nominated my book on Kindle Scout campaign, even though
Kindle Press did not choose it for publication.  Sigh.  Shame on them.  The book
will be available soon on Amazon.  Thank you again.  –Byung A.

Carefreeness
eludes her
She’d rather
suffer bruise from
her ardent endeavor

*
Chill draft in the room,
rambling thoughts
spins the wings of night
of relentless frost
Footprints at the window
lead to the apple tree
to the wood
to his home, void of
worries, dreams
He’s stealthy
meteorite
His scent of woods
stirs brief carefreeness
refreshes the stubborn mind
Like he flaunts his majestic antlers
she embraces her pain of passion

(by Byung A. Fallgren)

Of all the roads, this is
what we take for the day
in a long line of crawling turtles
with patience, courtesy of
roadside comrades, fighting
the blizzard of celestial trial

Alas, someone’s car zooms by,
throwing the clouds of madness
in everyone’s way, blinding,
skidding, almost plunging,
his car and others’ into the ditch

We slow down even more
to let him back in the line,
proceed as before with
courtesy and patience
of roadside comrades,
facing the common enemy until
our destinations do us part.

We were heading south in blizzard when we almost got in ditch.  Thank God.
Although our hearts would skip beating at times, we hadn’t seen any serious
accident that day.  Wish you all a safe traveling during this winter and always.

–Byung A. Fallgren

Chill wind whispers dragging
the winter drifters swept

from the garden
with cluttered thoughts

One seed embedded in
deep soil waits for spring
in calm anticipation

(by Byung A. Fallgren)

Hello Smile,
hide that person’s frown
let him or her wear you
as a badge of peace

add beauty to their heart
brighten their mood
When the mood is bright
judgement shines as star
which could lead to
dream promotion

Save the long day in the workplace
from the storm cloud,
getting the job done
of which our boss can be proud,

for workplace is the second home,
where we are tied by common goal,
to where we go everyday.

(by Byung A. Fallgren)

The empty red stocking
Envies the twinkling lights
In the corner of vacancy
Of lingering shadows
Of laughter
Strewn wrappers
Rainbow strings
The lights keep on twinkle
For one package still tucked
Under the tree
With loving memory
As the angelic ghost
Kisses and hugs them
As they slept
Bids them a goodnight

Some families remember their loved ones who are no longer with them,
especially at this time of year.  I wish them happy holidays and a new year
filled with love and peace.

(By Byung A. Fallgren)

As the little stockings doze
Soft laughs and gentle voices
of yesterdays echo in the tree adorned
with the images of loved ones
Grandpa’s cane thumps
against the wooden steps,
the bug-eyed doggy with the grandson
Thanks Giving dinner with
the uncle returned from the war
They vanish into the cherished time
waving at the loved one with the camera
Gift packages wait in anticipation,
the renewed love,
reconciliation,
seeds of spring bloom,
the past echoes the present

©by Byung A. Fallgren

Season’s greetings, says the letter
from overseas, the same as the year before
which seem only yesterday
No tears for the fleeting time
Neighbors moving in and out overnight
no time to be acquainted with
as the post buries in seconds in the mass of new ones
One must crawl out often from the burrow
to observe the world with keen eyes,
or be outdated soul like discarded junk mail
yet, turtle like me is still kicking,
struggling to catch up with packaging and mailing
As being Crosby sings let it snow
goodness is in the air
like morning coffee aroma
like new followers on the social media
Bake some cookies for the new neighbor,
catch up, and I live that much more.

(by Byung A. Fallgren)

We strive for our dreams
in each passing seasons,
soft and fragrant spring
deep hues of summer
vibrant colors of autumn
in gold and orange of maturity
We often fail to reach our goals
in the wayward wind
in the path of storms
we rebound in sunny days
in the end, we see ourselves mirrored
in each different form and texture,
assess what we have done
by the opinion of others
by the impact on our world
we then embrace ourselves
just as we are.

(by Byung A. Fallgren. Photo by Collin A. Maag.)