Opposite Shores

art by Katherine Shi, words by Melanie Chuh

Wishes Unanswered

Grandson,

What a beautiful word stuffed with hope and future

Today, you fit entirely in my two hands

But one day, your two hands will fit the entire world

My beautiful baby,

My eyes well up with tears today as you slip your chubby little hand out of mine

I wish you could stay little forever

Don’t board that school bus and stay mine forever

My best, best, BESTEST friend in the whole wide world,

I’m moving somewhere far, far away tomorrow

I made you a purple bracelet so you won’t forget me

Don’t forget about me — I’ll be back so, so soon

Mother,

I’m not sure how much I believe that name

Remembering you, my head aches with my heart

Burning with anger for what you’ve done

And yet I want nothing more than to jump into your arms

My dear,

Twenty years have passed, and yet

You are and always will be my light

I hope you have finally found the peace you’ve been searching for

All your life

Dad,

What does it mean when we reach that altar and have to unlink arms?

Is this the point of no return, am I still your little girl?

I cannot help but want to be little, 

be yours 

forever

Grandmother,

Though we’ve only met through prayer and a cloud of incense smoke,

Your wisdom guides me every day

Now, tell me — what was it like to go? Was it a feeling that started by a tickling in your toes 

or did the nothingness just swallow you all at once? 

Where did you go? Will you be there waiting for me?