5 Poems by Carly Luk

race

they call it a race; a competition to win
a prize of blonde hair, of freckles, fair skin
I lost before birth, trapped behind the Great Wall
I keep my eyes on the ground so you won’t see they’re too small.

complexity

you’re begging me for answers to questions that plague my mind as well
wonder why I cannot save you, why your fears I can’t dispel
I hear you scratching at the door that has locked me in alone
I’m fumbling for the keys while you leave me messages at the tone.

scatter

the pen is my knife; I bleed onto paper.
carving my thoughts before they vanish like vapor.
I scatter my words like they’re seeds in the street
birds come to feed on the blood at my feet.

sinner

I was the devil on your shoulder; I held the wine to your lips
fed you bites of poison apple between your shy, cautious sips
the snake that led you to the garden from which you emerged a sinner
your heart infected with my venom, blood slowly running thinner.

stir

pour coffee in a mug. milk and sugar, add a stir.
there’s a picture on the wall; steal a glance, remember her.
sink into the chair. take a sip, make it last.
there’s less in your future than there is in your past.