& Yet

In memoriam of  Kate Spade & Anthony Bourdain. The world will miss two souls who burned bright. This is also for you - whoever you are, in whatever place you are. It will get better. Take it from someone who's walked a similar journey. Should you or a loved one have suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Hotline: 1-800-273-8255. 


A river runs within you,
Deep destiny, troubled tributes--
& yet
Rivers rebel too.
They pour forth
What others only peer into.
They give life
When others seek relief.

Run on.

;

A story starts within you,
Wistfully written, mournfully maimed--
& yet
Stories have sequels and series.
Do not let the ink dry on the page.
Let only the pen bleed and remember
For your broken heart.
Let the verses take the place
For your pulsing veins.

Write on.

;

Harness the spark within you,
Let it illuminate
Like a glimpse of sullied starlight,
Like the glimmer of mischief from a two-year-old
Like a nose-wrinkling, gap-toothed grin,
Like an April shower dazzling surprised lovers,
Like humid July conversation on concrete rooftops,
Like sunburnt laughter dappling an autumn morning,
Like the frost kissing December skyscraper windows--


& yet
In every season:

Shine on.

;

Carbon-based colorer of magic,
You are 4 parts star and 1 part dream,
You are the reprieve of a school bell,
You are wonder and wonderful,
You must wander in wanderlust,
& yet
You are not over;

Be here,
Be with,
Be loved.

Stay.

-©2018 Yue Yuan