Let’s have a chat. Let’s sit together on this warm Tuesday
And talk about stocks and great metal ships that cut

Weeping wounds in the damned, darling ocean. Let’s play
A silver flute and reminisce of when you could once dance.

You will again, I think. Let’s jump wild off arcing cliffs
And crash the drowned banks. Let’s drive too fast

And drink mercury like light beer and live through it all.
Let’s say “I love you” every time the tide comes

In, not because time is short but because this air is ours
For the taking. Tomorrow, I have to fight a great metal dragon.

He will take me into his gaping mouth and fly across the sea
While I kick my knees out like a beached beetle. I’ll remind you,

My armor is strong and my sword is sharp. Don’t worry,
I’ll come next year. You’ll still be here.

—Published 27th of December 2025

About Yoonsuh Kim

Yoonsuh Kim is a poet based in New York. Her work appears or is forthcoming in Rigorous Magazine, Cargoes, and others.