new school out for summer, carmen li freed for fun; sends a poem; jia you, cammy!

Ever since you abandoned your magic

of forming swans and goldfish

between your fingers

we scratched, scrubbed until every last

bit of green is gone

and you who were supposed to stand straight

look tall and almighty, sat hunched.

face down, sobbing,

unable to keep our world spinning.

you did not keep up the rooftop for us,

and rain poured to leave us

cold and wet for many months straight

but being mad at you will not help any more

than the rain water can grow sprouts from the tiled floor.

keep searching for the lost wand,

and get back on your feet for I will be your cane

together we can fill corner by corner

with your once sparkling blades

and then—the swans and goldfish will come splashing.

-carmen li