Waiting for 360º

red bean filled the mochi balls

culminating the two-week new year cheer.

we started with a wonderful meal

also named tuan yuan fan.

this meal — 

a reunion meal — it's the one 

where family gathers together, laughing

about all the times we once requested a raincheck for

but round this rice-filled table 

remains just me and you

we fight to break the barriers between borders 

only to find ourselves chasing, 

chasing for a wechat connection 

a facetime call 

a surprise visit

a something—

but all that is left is you and me; the leftovers 

leading the night.

it's not as bad as we think though

after all, leftovers equal excess 

to which excess exemplifies wealth (yes, a

homophoned tradition)

year of the ox,

you'll be the one where the round table reunites

again once more

- 

inspired by Boland's "It's A Woman's World" and a pandemic-ridden lunar new year in an immigrant household