Her spirit floated away from me
Even as I clung to her body
On that rigid hospital bed
“엄마 엄마 엄마 엄마 가지마”
Mom mom mom mom don’t go
I implored her to stay
But too late she was already gone
My brother sniffled, eyes red
Bowing his head, wiping away tears
My dad exclaimed
“여보 진짜 간거야?”
Honey you’re really gone?
Daily life was difficult that first year
Because I saw you in everything, everywhere
The tears came fast and furious
Whenever I entered a TJMaxx, a Target,
A Korean supermarket
I could hardly breathe
as grief hit me like a wall
Buried me beneath a pile of bricks
And other days, when I would remember
a memory of you and smile to myself
Whisper under my breath,
“엄마 잘 있지? 보고싶다”
Mom I hope you’re doing well.
I miss you.
