you broke me first

I envy the leaves
that grow from the trees
They’re all so carefree through the seasons, 
unaware of the fall

How evergreen
our group of friends
don’t think we’ll say that word again

And I don’t mind bleeding
I’m glad we crashed and burned
I’ll pack my memories and go
The lies you sold me all saw the light of day

You broke me first

bulldozer fish

bulldozers hanging over them like vultures.
you can see dying fish,
flopping on the dirt ground and drowning in air.
they say the world is chaos,
others say it is dying.
perhaps they are one and the same.
drain our air and watch us drown.

a garden in a shoe closet

honey yellow scent of warm potted soil around
             packed cracking kitchen

murmuring flowers streaming back onto the
             shoe racks from humming pots

split plants rusted in green sun
             carved in the coloured tray

stems blossoming through
             scattered tiny air chatter

petals haphazardly watering the floor
             wild sweet dirt hanging off dark shoes and cigarettes

tattooed stains of leafy walnut water
              shimmering stars in the window

Regina Kim is a high school student in Seoul with a fervent love for literature and creative writing. She draws inspiration from her cultural surroundings and personal experiences to craft narratives that resonate with authenticity and emotional depth. Regina’s writing explores themes of identity, belonging, and the human condition, reflecting her curiosity about the world and her desire to connect with others through storytelling. When she’s not writing, Regina enjoys reading classic literature and exploring new cafes in her vibrant city.