A Whispering Soul, Page 2

  A blinding flash,

  Screamed for escape,

  Tumble over bodies,

  Rocks split fingertips,

  Risked a glance of the

  Hovering Grim Reapers,

  Cold sweat runs faster,

  Heart could burst.

  "Exile"

  Water seeps between slabs,

  Further wetting the damp air,

  Breeding grounds for fungi,

  Bent mushrooms in cracks,

  Slipping past the maze,

  Drips on smooth concrete,

  Splats echo in all corners,

  A metallic element rings,

  Rattling, massive chains,

  Dormant savage rouses,

  Growling releases saliva,

  Thick eyelids rip apart,

  Crimson dots revealed,

  Lights of the prisoner.

  "A Millennium"

  Echoing speakers,

  Mechanical buzzes,

  Doors slide,

  Metallic clang,

  Rods rattle,

  Shamble forward,

  Sound off

  To this

  Roll call,

  No letters,

  Unique digits,

  Clock ticks,

  Gobble time,

  Skip savoring

  Defiled crap,

  Stains teeth,

  Sweating period,

  Bounce balls,

  Thrust iron,

  Stupid pride,

  Bar chokes,

  Rather lounge

  On benches,

  Splinters though,

  Another scrap,

  Interracial conflict,

  Braindead morons,

  Rifles cocked,

  Bullets snip

  Flying birds,

  Bodies drop,

  Stomping boots,

  Recess over,

  Dragging feet

  To cubicles,

  Not before

  Group shower,

  Killing chance,

  Nowhere safe,

  Fellows grunt,

  Impaling blade,

  Oozing blood,

  Quick death

  If lucky,

  Must scramble,

  Almost bedtime,

  Puffy pillows,

  Freedom someday,

  Pipe dream

  For decades.

  "Smear Sarcasm"

  Lips curve into smiles

  Or twist into smirks?

  Eyes gleam mutual respect

  Or glower combustible envy?

  Hands clapping for encore

  Or clenching in fury?

  Opened arms for a bear hug

  Or mocking hand gestures?

  Tongue articulating praises

  Or barking raw profanities?

  Laughing at the after party

  Or screaming in the bathroom?

  "Two-Face"

  Handshake to check hidden weapons,

  Smile with distracting, white teeth,

  Hearty chit chat to break the ice,

  Such a talkative, phony bastard,

  Fabricate curiosity of life stories,

  Crucial cues to laugh at lame jokes,

  Reminiscing last year's Thanksgiving,

  Cheer to legendary Father of alcohol,

  Cellphone rings? Love this caller,

  Perfect timing with slick escape,

  Networking... such a full-time job

  To charm these idiots’ hearts.

  "Slipping Away"

  Fidgeting in chair to ease aches,

  Eyes dodge the gaping mouth,

  Echoes from encrypted tongue,

  No subtitles for alien lecture,

  Hands cover contagious yawns.

  Letters struggle to align,

  Dull syllables barely bouncing,

  He should be a hypnotizer

  Rather than inflicting brain

  Damage upon young pupils.

  "Caffeine"

  Studying in a cafe,

  Delay with service.

  Headless waiter runs,

  Tons of waving hands.

  Area jammed with freaks,

  Geeks seeking ecstasy.

  Ten minutes for drink,

  Link lips upon paper.

  Blowing before each sip,

  Grip cup for warmth.

  Swirling, white flakes,

  Mistakes of forecast.

  Not enough layers,

  Prayers fatten spirit.

  Sprinting to dome,

  Home! Sweet Home.

  Blankets comfort,

  Discomfort fades.

  "Worth?"

  Mere strangers at first,

  Gulp coffee to quench thirst,

  Burned tongue at the worst,

  Amusing jokes rehearsed,

  Awkwardness dispersed,

  Suddenly healthy guts burst,

  Calmness for this unrehearsed,

  Nearest hospital to be nursed,

  Visits extend time conversed,

  Aeons couldn't be reversed,

  Silly habit to dive headfirst,

  A hopeless romantic cursed.

  "Strive"

  Lost to dazzling smile,

  No gear to climb a mile,

  Seems quite worthwhile,

  Daydream all the while,

  Kiss under white aisle,

  Cheer on tropical isle.

  Data entries compile,

  Numbers on speed dial,

  Patience; a tedious trial,

  Kneel on marble tile,

  Everlasting, classic style,

  Yearning for that "I'll."

  "Outward Wits"

  Bombs cannot stir dormant soul,

  Yet wide-awake to smell of egg roll.

  Munching on subtle taste of flour,

  Tons of food devoured in an hour.

  Sight of dual hands on clock,

  Unlock doors to take a walk.

  Azure waves radiate with warm light,

  Feel cooler with sun blocked by kite.

  Hear hollering teens leap in,

  Water splashes on skin.

  "Bone Dry"

  Possess a peculiar brain,

  Schemes far from sane,

  Posed in an altered plane,

  Den in individual domain,

  Even on Earth, private plain,

  Far from damned disdain,

  No need to exactly explain,

  Endless efforts to grow grain,

  Fatigue from thirsty terrain,

  Invisible thrusts to insane,

  Worthy work wasted in vain,

  Cannot be battered by Bain,

  Sturdy spirit must sustain

  To clear cork of champagne,

  Food flourishes from rain.

  CUONG DAO is a Vietnamese American residing in Honolulu, Hawaii. Being the youngest out of two sisters and nine brothers brings much attention. Entire family thinks he would be a mute due to his slow-developing tongue. Everyday speech is hindered by a permanent accent. As compensation, he is bestowed with creativity beyond imagination.

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