Sungyoun Jee
Fragile Kings
We climb up
to the top of the slide
slowly and carefully, scared
of the height. Under us
the sharp woodchips,
wait for us to fall.
We act like kings
who rule the playground.
We look over our subjects
the bowing trees,
the dancing fountain and
toddlers who look at us in awe.
When the sun comes down
we leave our thrones
and take a walk
through the forest
of street lights. And into the
dark track to hide
from our mothers who
will separate us and take us
home. But we know
they will find us. We
say our goodbyes
and leave our crowns
at the park. The next time
we meet, we may not
be kings. We might choose
to be monsters that lurk
under the abandoned thrones.
Sungyoun (Michael) Jee is a freshman at International School Manila. He has won awards in the Bow Seat Ocean Awareness Writing Contest for his poetry as well as in the Scholastics Art & Writing Awards for his short story and poetry. He enjoys taking naps and eating pasta.
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