Nov 29, 2020dissolving your identityRecently, I went on dates with someone who identified themself as non-binary. To my surprise and slight confusion, she was what society would deem as feminine for the most part. I consider myself progressive with a streak of libertarianism — that is, if you’re not hurting anyone else, then I’ll…3 min read3 min read
Aug 30, 2020ideal and reality — part oneEvery night, I go to bed determined to flip my life starting tomorrow. Today was awash with wasted time, procrasinated task, and just a general lack of zest for life. Tomorrow, I promise myself, will be different. …3 min read3 min read
Aug 23, 2020in your roominspired by frank ocean’s “in my room.” written for her. — You felt like home. We were enveloped by uneven walls, crooked lights, and a bed that fit us perfectly without an ounce of space wasted. In one ear hummed familiar tunes from our yesteryears. Funny thing though, because I…2 min read2 min read
Aug 20, 2020a modest manifestoThere are two ways to be wealthy. The first is conventional wisdom: acquire more. But why do we conveniently ignore the alternative route — crave less? — As a doe-eyed boy, I dreamt of reaching unfathomable wealth and worshipped those who did. Today, I no longer concern myself with becoming…10 min read10 min read
Aug 20, 2020snowfallen elegyI long to step out into the frigid night of Hokkaido, where untouched snowflakes line the roofs of sloping gazebos and sky-high apartments. Juxtaposed between the ancient and the novel, I stare up at the night sky dotted with white specks and backlit illuminations of a sun bidding adieu. In…3 min read3 min read
Aug 16, 2019orchid blossomsI’ll often catch myself immersed in the passing lights on streets and roads, marveling at how I will never meet the millions of strangers I’ll pass by in my lifetime, and how their lives must be as dynamic, troubled, and beautiful as ours. …3 min read3 min read
Feb 20, 2019carving the cosmosEthos took a knife and sent it down the edge of the universe. He painstakingly worked on an edge just diagonal of it, and triumphantly held out the piece to Aphrodite. …3 min read3 min read
Sep 13, 2018flow & cadenceThe sky fades, the heart slows, the cadence falters. Then a spectacular gradient fills the sky, a ruby-lit pink skirting around the smoky azure. They merge, then weave out, before finally merging again to create the skylight’s palette. …2 min read2 min read
Sep 9, 2018ampersand goodbyesIt’s always the human desire to add “and” to something, because we fear what is final, definitive, irreconcilable. We will boldly make a controversial statement, then sheepishly cower at our vulgarity and add a “and I hope you have a fantastic rest of your day!” Or something along the lines…2 min read2 min read
Mar 7, 2018warm on a cold nightA familiar jazzy tune comes on the speakers and envelops the log cabin. He swallowed the aphrodisiac and looked at her. She absorbed the gaze, and that gaze perpetuated her entire existence. The moment was just right. Girl, you could have anyone, so why’d you choose me? The lyrics shook…2 min read2 min read