Is emptiness a kind of pain
when it doesn’t sting
it doesn’t bite
but it clamps your soul
with toothless gums.
Is sadness real
when you never shed a tear
you don’t mourn
but instead it cuts off circulation
restricting the flow of the blood of life.
Is darkness really dark
when everyone else can see the light
but hands are forced over your eyes
another hand over your mouth
hands no one else can see.
I don’t want to give these things a name
because any name feels false
like my emotions fit in a box
a box that others can examine
to tell me how I feel.
Amy Yun 