Open Tears Annie Zhao

OPEN TEARS

Annie Zhao

I reach a moment of clarity after I cry, a moment when the fog clears out of my mind and I see myself again and not That which stares back from the curved mirror. I reach a moment of sanity after I cry, and I know how I am, safe and sound in my mind which returns to its original shape, like before the fog ate it away. I cry a lot because I love a lot, and because I love a lot, I lose bits of myself to that feeling, but I cry and it's ok — I regain consciousness. Thought is all that exists in reality, and in reality I can only think after I cry. And the chain of thought continues because every tear spilt is a tear on the surface, my skin Splits open and I am whole again.

WHY DO YOU LET GO?

Mohana Ghosh

Clouds blush as the setting sun kisses them goodnight Like lovers Only this is their final goodbye.

The sea thunders as it churns and crashes into the coast, a raw brininess drowns my lungs Seafoam bubbles under my hand, water embraces me only to withdraw

The night-wind rustles the tall grass, caressing me before moving onwards without a care I let the night-wind billow me but it does not take me along The wind has let me go and there I remain, a bird without its flock Wondering how you could fly on, not even having noticed me gone

I know that I cannot tame a wild horse, that the moon that rises and sets, that the ocean that ebbs and flows, that words scorch and scar, but still, I wonder, how can you so simply let go?

I lie here, frozen and alone, unable to grasp you, leaving my words unknown No sizzling fire can thaw me, no strident trumpet can awake me, no threatening wolf can stir me

Your sunshine shimmered in my heart, the warmth of you kept me alive Until our hearts filled with nightfall and you left me behind to freeze

Why do you let go?

I must learn to be the sea, the wind, the birds, but until then I anguish How can you, like the setting sun does the cloud, so simply let go?