Today is Tomb Sweeping Day, a day to mark by remembering ancestors.
People remember the lessons from loved ones who have passed.
Some lessons only make sense when they are meant for you.
🧽🔥🍊
Dusting the gravestone
Wiping sweat, dripping off cheek
As incense burns.
Cleaning, tidying.
Cleaning, tidying.
Glancing at the digital clock -
On his mobile phone.
🧽🔥🍊
Dusting, sweeping.
Dusting, sweeping.
Arranging offerings with no glance.
Lights incense -
Without seeing
Father's name.
🧽🔥🍊
Tidying, moving. Tidying, moving.
The next gravestone.
"Whose is it'
Mom answers -
Meant for you.
🧽🔥🍊
Tidying.
Dusting.
Tidying.
Dusting.
Cloth wipes. Stone gleams.
Offers.
Himself.
🧽🔥🍊
Original poem by Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin. AI tags are coincidental.
For Mikeyded's April Challenge
About the Creator
Michelle Liew Tsui-Lin
Hi, i am an English Language teacher cum freelance writer with a taste for pets, prose and poetry. When I'm not writing my heart out, I'm playing with my three dogs, Zorra, Cloudy and Snowball.
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