In Times Like These, I Don’t Want to See Myself

Yesterday awakened again
from a memory long lost.
When the wind blew,
the trees above began to dance—
just like always.
And I, like a legend,
followed with bated breath,
clutching my chest in silence.

I grew smaller
while the forest grew ever larger.
Between fear and wonder,
with eyes fixed on my feet,
I whispered,
“It’s still today.”
And then,
it felt as if I was being born
into the forest again.

Now,
I am no longer the me of yesterday.
Looking at myself,
I see someone new taking shape—
someone who has left home,
entered the woods,
gathering pieces of tomorrow
scattered like fallen fruit.

But this tomorrow
did not simply fall between mountaintops—
it had already drifted deep
into the valley,
chilling my spine
as it climbed up my back
like a stream of cold wind.

The totem-like trees,
tired of stories
woven from storm clouds and rain,
have forgotten even
how to greet the day.
The birds—
they folded their wings long ago.
Today has come
only to end here.

I cannot let myself go.
My soul becomes an echo
in the cave—
leaping beyond the future,
birthing myths
in the silence.
I remain
a forgotten day
that cannot even scream
because I’ve lost my voice.

TaeHun Yoon
August 5, 2023