My Lucky Star

There’s no more band-aid under my eye

And the pain has been gone for quite a while.

But I still wear my hair over my face

To hide the dark spots that stubbornly stay.

I can think of this as a tragedy –

Woe from a God that does not like me.

What with other pains at this time of rue –

A swell on my foot and a hamstring that is strained.

I missed some matches of a game I love to play

While my love’s been in Mars and in Venus I stayed.

I choose not to dwell on anger and despair,

But thank my lucky star for the God who cares.

I fell off my bicycle on an empty road side,

Skidded on the gravel and my helmet served me fine.

I suffered no damages besides bruised and scraped skin.

My God smiled on me and protected me well.

The darkened spots are a small price to pay

To have no broken bones and no hospital stay.

I count my blessings each day that I live,

For life is good even when curved balls came.

One Hundred Days

It is almost one hundred days

Since you’ve gone to your place of peace,

The promising place where you were to rest

From all the earthly sorrow and pain.

Did you find the peace you sought,

Are you free from heartache and woe,

Do you have any regrets,

What words of wisdom would you name?

I’ve never stopped thinking of you

And the love you had given me.

I often relive the old memories

Of times together we spent on our earthly trip.

There are moments when I feel your presence

Like when my poinsettias bloomed red,

Or the time my bicycle failed me

The helmet cracked and my bones stayed intact.

When I have muscle cramps after a game,

I imagine you tell me to drink up.

You are the angel who watches

Over me as I journey on my earthly stay.

Today you are remembered

By the people who love you the best.

Your family and close friends gather

In Irvine the city that holds your address.

As I sit here in Virginia,

All alone on my reading sofa,

My thoughts go to California;

Though not in person, I am there in spirit.

I wonder what dreams are made of,

For I wish the last one hundred days were but one.

When I wake up tomorrow,

This poem had not been written – not a single stanza.

An Angel Had Watched

I hide my face behind my hair,

Like Violet Parr –

Except when the wind makes it fly.

I put foundation on my nose and

Above my upper lip and,

A bandage under my eye;

And feel the rawness of my wounds.

My muscles ache,

My knees and elbow pain.

I cringed watching Ben Stiller

Going downhill on a road in Iceland 

On the skateboard – fast.

I will my flashback away,

And remind myself

I am safe –

An angel had watched over me.

Collage #13

Mama thinks I’m cute

Dada thinks she’s right

I’m a happy guy

There’s nothing to cry

I love to run about

To explore the world around

Everything brings new wonders

From walking sticks to waterspouts

I’m never a trouble

Except when things go wobbled

As when I’m held tight

When the urge to run is high

Or when I want more

Of what only mama can provide

But she must take a while

Before I can be satisfied

Oh the games that I play

Could be fierce or mild

I love making dragon roars

And hearing the cats score 

Grandma Bà loves me so

So does Grandpa Ông

They have to fly an airplane

From a faraway land

To watch me in play

And adore me in sleep

An angel I do make

Till I wake again

Bliss - 100-word snippet

Another snippet of my life that is as current as current can be.

We flew to Austin. My daughter picked us up at the airport. As I poked my head in the car and said hi, he squirmed and cried. After putting away our luggage, I came sit next to him. I gave him a piece of cherrios, he angrily yanked it away and dropped it. But he must have remembered the many times we were on skype together, he smiled and gently took another piece of cherrios. I listened to him talk and responded as if I understood. We looked through books and laughed together. Bliss is being with your fifteen-month-old grandson.

Ugly Duckling

This is a snippet of my life, the first in a series inspired by Reader's Digest 100-word story challenge.

When I was about five years old, I was sent to stay with a relative to avoid catching my brother’s mumps. Auntie took care of me. Being a shy and awkward girl, I responded to questions by lowering my eyelids for yes. Now auntie and I are living in different countries, but I always remember her kindness to me. When auntie visited the USA several years ago, I came to see her. Auntie could not believe the way I had turned out, from an “ugly duckling” of a shy little girl to a confident woman who can hold a conversation.  

Collage #12

When the books are read

The water pools closed

The shovel’s done with

The slides have turned cold

Mommy closes the dryer lid

There is no place to hide now

Except on Mommy’s bed

Or in the dragon’s lair

You’re tired anyhow

Your energy is spent

Your toys go to sleep

Your walking stick laid down

Slumber sure sounds good

Sweet dreams, little boy