Leg massager
sooths nerve pain
you can walk again 

Text message, all-timer
Asked Daughter for FaceTime
her answer: Not now

They have no ears
Backyard corn stocks
September deafs

--Byung A. Fallgren

He was not my father, only then

His balmy eyes with a spring smile were
my father, whom i smiled at when i was a baby;
his sunny cheer on the first day of
my kindergarten was the seed of love, encouragement,
that empowered me throughout my life.

My father, the only father i've had, until one day,
my playful digging in the deep unearthed a piece
of shock that rattled my soul. my volcanic heart
could not bury in the dune of past.
i thought it was the end.
i listened to: whose love weighs more,
the one who saved you from the deep river
and nurtured you, or the one who discarded you
like a wad of flesh? The answer led me back to
the only father i knew.

© Byung A. Fallgren   

first appearance
of yellow leaves on the bough
autumn is in the air

a few crickets
chirp in the evening
Nature goes on

doves call
to each other from afar
soft summer heat  

© Byung A. Fallgren

At the Fair 

After browsing around with the beating August sun,
walking into the shady building with the cool air from
the fans is a sudden lift. The hot skin seemed to sigh of
relief, as the eyes dotting around the particular exhibitions:
homemade cookies and cakes, many flavored popcorns,
exotic clothes, and the coats made of fur and tails.
The little shop was full of fluffy garments, quiet as the
dead wild things. I touched the fur jacket, soft and silent.
Let my eyes linger on the tails hung on a rack. They seemed
wagging a little like they used to do as a fox, racoon, or other
tails would do with their friends. Only now, they cannot 
do more. Hope they had a good life before. Hope they were
all ready to return to the bosom of Mother Earth, before the
hunters intervene. My eyes linger on them, wishing to get one
as a keepsake. I turned to leave; for some reason, 
I want the fur to remain at the shop with the owner. 

© Byung A. Fallgren  

Fall 

To me, the word "Fall" wears good and not-so-pretty
Meanings. For example, the last time I had a fall,
I landed in an urgent care; also, it is a beautiful 
Season, Autumn, when the leaves are falling,
After their duties have been fulfilled, etc.
Our last name starts with Fall...
Our car's license plate is "2 Fall," which is him and me.
We fall only twice; each time, we bounce up.
O, such luck! I praise him for his choice of words.
Passing cloud jeers, "Fall only twice in a life time?"
The dove coos, "It is talisman."

Whatever they say, it doesn't change apple
into a pear. 

© Byung A. Fallgren