News of Safety

Cynthia Zhang

(Written August 29, 2011)

News of Safety

To Professor Barbara Katz Rothman and Her Family

A relief to hear

My friend was

Safe in New York.

The hurricane spared her

And her family

Without even

Blowing the lights off.

Yes, New York.

The city that will

Celebrate its 10th anniversary

Of attack.

The city that was buried

In ruins

With my old dreams.

The city that will

See me mining the field

With conscience

In humility.

Note on "Hope"
Cynthia Zhang
(October 9, 2014)

The date I wrote "Hope" should be in early 2013 as the poem depicts scenery on Todds Road and Jacobson Park in Lexington, KY. I dedicated this poem to Professor Sheldon Stryker, hoping he could recover from a fall in the cold spring.

Fine Sewing
Cynthia Zhang
(Written November 28, 2011)

Fine Sewing

 

Stitch by stitch,

The fine lady sews 

Her gift,

Her home,

Her future to

Hold her heart.

 

Corner by corner,

The diligent housewife sweeps

Her room,

His room,

And prepares for the

Baby's coming.

 

Joy comes with a price.

Pain highlights the dedication.

Decorations are well thought.

Boxes are not allowed.

 

Oh, we all marry our parents

At certain times.

Well, we all live in the present,

For sure.

And, we all jog slowly in the future,

With hope.