dinner

Jia Hwang

we sit
the two of us
you face the tv

we sit
the two of us
you face the tv
i take turns glancing at
your face as i raise
my bowl to drink the
soup there are war torn
cries from the screen
not loud enough to disturb
the silence between us
the actress on that screen more
relevant to you than me
i know we may be caught in
some childish banter
it makes me wonder why
you still allow it to be this way
i may no longer be a child
but you forget i am yours
perhaps you know of it all too well
you’re still watching it
chewing rice between
your teeth
my mouth never opens
for speaking and
my eyes set fire
to the bridge
i can not
seem to cross.

Jia Hwang is a student completing her major in political science at the University of British Columbia. She is currently working on her poetry manuscript, Flies on Vacation. She lives in Coquitlam, British Columbia.

Upcoming Issue

Room 45.2 Cover

ROOM 46.2: Ley Line
Editor: Geffen Semach
Assistant Editor: Annick MacAskill
Shadows: Adesina Brown, Kendra Heinz, Nara Monteiro
Cover Art by semillites hernández velasco

Currently On Newsstands

Illustration by Paige Jung of five Asian faces of various ages and skin colours. All are wearing bright clothes and have sombre expressions.

ROOM 46.1 AROUND THE TABLE: ASIAN VOICES
Editor: Michelle Ha
Assistant Editor: Shristi Uprety and Isabella Wang
Cover Art by Paige Jung

Join us on Patreon

Become a RoomMate

Seeking members who love literature, events, merchandise, and supporting marginalized creators.


Subscribe to our newsletter

Be the first to know about contests, calls for submissions, upcoming events.

* indicates required

Visit our Store

Share This