Housemates
A poem by Jackie Chou

Housemates 

I see you in my memory
as I look out the bus window
at the swaying palms 
and cars passing by.

You appear in flashes of smiles
and puffs of weed smoke you exhaled.

I recollect its grassy scent, 
which you deemed more pleasant
than the aroma of my steamed rice.

You stared at me with stony eyes
as I told you about my crush,
the softness of his lips
in our deep tongue kisses.

I recounted my daily adventures
in the midst of your wrath,
your complaint about the toilet rolls
not being replaced.

Your voice filled the void
between hours of studying,
in what was supposed to be
the best years of my life.

About the Author:

Jackie Chou’s poems have appeared in Rat’s Ass Review, the Altadena Poetry Review, Spillwords, Alien Buddha Zine, and others.  Her collection of poetry Finding My Heart in Love and Loss, published by cyberwit, can be purchased on Amazon.

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