lake forest, december 3rd, 2015: citrus tears

by Joy Yin

Six months lengthen, sitting in a SoCal food
court, a tray of 快餐 fast food before
me. 芥末 Wasabi burns, sharp and
sudden, its fire taking me back to the dentist,
hands held, humming “Johnny, Johnny, Yes Papa,”
promising I’ll be a good 美国 American
child, not break any more teeth.

商场 Malls here are loud, a sound these two places
play in tandem. Too much has changed. I know
we used to bruise so much it became a 习惯 habit,
but for now, I chew, taste, stay;

and 想 wonder if your boots have dried, back where
the sun still shines
upon the mandarins. 

Photo of Joy Yin

BIO: Joy Yin is a writer and poet. Her works are published or forthcoming in Pen&Quill, Apprentice Writer, BRAWL Lit, Milk Candy Review, and more. Joy is also the founder and EIC of Lacuna Vox, a youth literary magazine. She hopes her words can inspire you to create something new.