Days like Ocean

Wayfarer’s sprit
runs in our veins
as once we were.
Our days are pregnant
with perpetual issues,
we push and pull,
inspire one another.
We rise as beads of
purity, glee, navigating celestial beings,
our dreams.  We celebrate our eventual
descending, our destiny, for what we are.
We go back to the shore of our past,
where we overlooked the glitters,
long ago in spring haze,
search for them to no avail,
fret on the deceitful shore
mixing the gems in the pebbles,
tuck them into her bosom, lest
capricious waves steal them.
We go back  to the shore again until
we can reclaim what we lost,
surprised to see another gems
basking in the sun, camouflaged–
we take them home.

by Byung A. Fallgren

Guilt

It creeps up on me as the judge grills.
I search in my heart for the right answer,
for having failed as a good daughter.
Being so far away, seeing her sporadically,
the pink-flowered Hanbok, she made
for me for the first day of my kindergarten,
the warmth of her hand that held mine,

in the deep ocean of memory,

I weep, wishing I could go back and

give her a hug.
What was born of the old selfishness?
Nothing, not a thing, except, gaining

some insight to see beyond the normal.
This dragon fire had not melt even
a little piece of the ice of the world pain,
merely flying ’round, singing the song
like a bird heard by few.

Let the salt water brim the eyes,
listening to her soothing voice,

and I learn to be reborn.

©Byung A. Fallgren

Joke or not

Unloved and dying of cancer, says she,
search for a trustable person who will
inherit her five million dollar
and run a charity business,
tells me I’m the one God has chosen for her.
Oh my, thanks for the flattery.
Re: American Red Cross or CARE
will appreciate your donation, Ma’am,
my prayers are with you.
She insists she needs me
for other reason as well.
In my closed eyes she cajoles
wich fail to convince this skeptic.
Dismiss it as an erratic wind of bored soul
seeking a naive victim for some reason.
If not, I wish her the best for her search for
the right heir.

Recently I’ve received this message from a stranger.
I believe this kind of joke is not uncommon in anyone’s Inbox or message
on social media.  However, you never know;  she can be real. April fool’s day
is still months away.  I should’ve told her, yes, yes, yes. 😄 But again, I have no
desire for unearned money, esp. from a stranger.

–Byung A. Fallgren

Pedestal of Love

She left a kerchief
for the granddaughter,
the soft piece of love
with memories of childhood,
drooling nose, tears and all–
another gold
she can fold

into an angelic butterfly
carrying her beloved garden
on her soft wings
roses and begonia
and other memorabilia

to deliver them to
dejected souls
settles on the wall
reminding her of the undying love
with strength of problem-solve

We often thrive upon
the ancestral pedestal of love.

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© Written by Byung A. Fallgren. Craftwork by Patti R. Smith.

Pause

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Even the clouds linger a moment
before the rain
Don’t accuse us for our pause
before the hot answer we’d rather refrain

We regret for our words
in the rush of hurricane,
blame our irrational brain

Often what’s done cannot be undone
like divorce done in the fashion of
a mad wave crash into the wall of cliff
Therefore we pause
to avoid painful cause

So we don’t rush us into
a premature answer. Pause.

(by Byung A. Fallgren)

Longevity / Vagabonding

Some say that each day we are approaching
to our death.
If you are like me, you’ll say we live each day
till we expire.

While we are lost in busy life, our belly fats
grow and blood pressure rise.
I thought about some known health tips ignored:

while we cannot stop the aging process,
we can slow it down by practicing healthy habits
mentally and physically–eat healthy, exercise daily.

Treat your mind like you would treat your important guest;
don’t abuse it with clutter of negative thoughts;
expel negative thoughts like they are poison.
If you don’t believe in God, have faith in goodness.

These are my practice for healthy living and hopefully add some more years
to my life.  You are welcome to add what you would like to the list.

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Life is like crossing the unfamiliar bridge
You don’t know what’s on the other side
You can only make the passage enjoyable.

VAGABONDING SUNBEAM  (GOGYOHKA)

On the quiet bridge
sunbeam
bagabonds alone
hopping along the
delightful diamonds drawn

On the quiet bridge
the vagabond
hops along
the diamonds drawn
wishing to take one home

(Photo, writing by Byung A. Fallgren)

 

Extra Efforts Needed

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When I’m with you
even the back yard
feels like paradise
I’m confident
when I’m with you
redeeming quality
for our differences
With these, I think
we’ll make B+ marriage,
if we add respect,
understanding,
undying love
to it, A+, we are then possibly
bound to be together until
death do us part.

(by Byung A. Fallgren)

I’ll Stay Then

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.

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© Photo, written by Byung A. Fallgren

Popularity

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.

Bless the Pain

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)