Sunday, February 15, 2026

Jackie Chou

Amidst a Room of Everyday Objects


You stick like Peanut Butter

on the roof of my mouth 

making it hard to say your name


Let us reincarnate 

as Plastic Spoons in a Mug

praying neither of us gets picked

for Haagen-Dazs ice cream


My love for you is a bright bulb

like the Blue Flashlight 

on top of the microwave


I pluck your hair

from the bristles of the Brush

my nails unpainted despite 

the Polish by the Scissors

and the Pepper Shaker


Long live our romance

like the Synthetic Rose

by the Incense Stick






Choosing Love


I choose to love 

because it's easier to hate

and I am an overachiever


So I tread on jagged pebbles

and empty the debris in my shoes

on your welcome mat


And I say "thank you"

instead of "why"--

why you make me climb

the slanted hills 

to your house


I choose love 

because I know some 

who hate more fiercely 

than I can ever hate

that compared to them

my hatred would be lame

and lackluster 


So I show up

on your front steps

accepting

the invitation

of your arms



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