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Writer's pictureJunyi Chew

THE YEAR THE LADYBIRDS CAME


woman's black shoes and reflection of child's shoes on the floor

'Love set you going like a fat gold watch.'

(Sylvia Plath, "Morning Song")



The watch sleeps coiled in the corner

of your room. In the hospital

whiteness, when you had sunk

and I could not warm the wreck

of your body, they asked if I wanted a lock

of your hair to keep. I said no,

hoping to send you whole

into the next world, not knowing they would pick

you apart, regardless, searching

for a black box.


That was the year the ladybirds came.


They arrived earlier in the spring –

while your head tilted

on the pillow to catch the birdsong –

thronging on the apple tree

between promises held in silky

blossom. Black and red glyphs

coupling.


When that was done, they vanished.

I never knew their young, imagined

mothers whispering into unhatched eggs – Fly

before they see you. Fly before they tie

the 'why' to your legs like lead

balloons. Fly before I forget

you are not for keeping.

Fly!


You have your place among the elements.




Text and photo by Junyi Chew

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3 Comments


Oh my Goddess! Your poem just arrived in my heart with a soft damp punch, like bare knuckles hitting a sandbag. Exquisite, tragic...mesmerising. Thank you for sharing the contents of your glorious heart. Blessings dear friend. Nathalia

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Saphina Phrieya
Saphina Phrieya
Sep 06, 2021

The most beautiful poem I have ever read . I am touched with deep sorrow, grace and your wisdom. You are a poet forged from experience, that has torn away surfaces to the truth, to the core.To see ladybirds is so wonderful, so magical. It is Gaia's children who have come to gather in memory of your little flower child.

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Junyi Chew
Junyi Chew
Sep 09, 2021
Replying to

Thank you for your beautiful words, Saphina!

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