Clouds and Flowers
Kelley Kwok
a poem by Kelley Kwok
the impossible, beautiful white clouds
in their perfect glory
hovering over our buildings, trees, and cars down below.
we are beneath them, looking up and admiring
no wonder when we think of heaven
we look up
at the white clouds.
and white roses
so perfect, so pure
a creamy vanilla color, the brightest of the batch
no wonder we think of perfect,
we think of white,
clean and flawless.
and the daffodils,
the chrysanthemums, buttercups
and everyone else
beautiful, breathtaking, yet they
slowly wither, leaves drying up,
colors paling, backs hunched over in shame
as they look at the ground they know to be their burial place
because the sun has no opinion,
but Gardener tricks it into making one
when all the white roses
are perfectly displayed on top of everyone else,
soaking in the precious warmth
smiling up at the sun, smiling back
not aware of the dying flowers in the back.
colors paling, backs hunched over in shame
as they look at the ground they know to be their burial place.
This piece is about the lack of Asian representation in the media. The white roses represent the beautiful white actors, models, etc, while the chrysanthemums, daffodils, and buttercups (who are just as beautiful and talented) represent Asian talent. The sun represents the audience, the ones who are watching and praising the flowers. Since the "Gardener" placed the white roses on top, the sun shines only on them while the other flowers' dreams are left to wither in the back.
Instagram: @kelleykwok
Cover Photo Source: All-Free-Downloads