媽媽 by Marlene Min-ling Liao1 min read

1 comment

metronome of knife to cutting board
a chorus of sounds

my eyes well up as
she continues without a single tear

down the hall, the piercing smells
overtake us

she hums and mutters
moving to her own beat

a small growl escapes from our stomachs

sweetness is welcomed instead
our noses eat away
while we watch in admiration

today
I mimic the sounds
trying to recreate the smells

my eyes well up
and I stop

the fridge hums
and echoes in the room
touching each piece of unfamiliarity

there’s no show here
the warmth taken away
by distance and time


Marlene was born in Taipei, but currently resides in Vancouver, finishing her degree in Anthropology at the University of British Columbia. Aspiring to be an elementary school teacher, Marlene has led numerous after-school art programs with the Vancouver School Board. She has also spent the last few years volunteering as a cat foster and foster coordinator for the Vancouver Orphan Kitten rescue Association. Most days you’ll find her reading in her backyard and on sunny days cycling down to the beach with her rescue cat, Meg.

 

1 comment

Kevin 22 August, 2018 - 10:26 pm

Brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for sharing this moment so beautifully!

Reply

Leave a Comment