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Clouds and Flowers

Kelley Kwok

Clouds and Flowers
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

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