Travels and Other Poems

By Alex Andy Phuong

Travels

Life as a journey
Is an Odyssey
Full of twists and turns
And full of mystery
For the future is unknown
Nevertheless
People can discover
Meaning within their lives
And why they were born
By continuing traveling
On the figurative road
And by venturing
Into the Unknown
Until they realize
That they are who they are
Depending upon
Their own self-perception

Decades

Passing time
Historical eras
Measured numerically
Even as time flies
People can manage time
And handle this enigma
With care
Only by decision
Rather than circumstance

Pertain

To belong
To do more than exist
Living
As a part,
Or member,
Attributing
To one’s own identity,
And having duties
And rights
As a reference
To the meaning
Of being

Leisurely

After work and errands are done,
It actually is okay to have some fun,
And no need to run
Underneath the sun
Because most of what is part
Of the real world
Came from birth.
Originating from either the mind
Or the body
Results in human recreation,
And as time goes by,
Natural endings do happen,
So instead of constantly worrying,
Live life with a leisurely style,
And remember that it is okay to relax
Every once in a while

Rally

Wandering around alleys,
But there is no need to meander.
Avoid slander as well
For only time will tell
If people shall rise
And promote change
Starting with themselves

Morally Upright

Thoughtful and noble
Without seeking approval,
Is true character

Living by Giving

Life is what it is
And involves more than perception
Because even when maturation
Comes about
Some aspects of reality
Come with doubt
Nevertheless,
Sometimes the best gift to give
Is forgiveness
Because giving that
Could set people free
So that the ones who do that
Can live unapologetically

Remembrance Day

*Previously published on The Poetry Super Highway as a part of the 23rd Annual Yom HaShoah
(Holocaust Remembrance Day) Poetry Issue on Saturday, April 3, 2021*

Each new day
Might contain remembrance
Which is different from
Reminiscence
Because instead of daydreaming
About good days long gone,
People could still move on,
And only if they choose to accept
That this day
Really is the only day

Chrysalis

Morphing
Through transformation
Changing
And coming about,
Living without fear nor doubt
And emerging
Out of a shell,
And wishing that
All is well
For only time will tell
What will happen
And crystallize
When new beginnings
Materialize

Alex Andy Phuong earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from California State University-Los Angeles in 2015.  He was a former Statement Magazine editor who currently writes about literature, film, and culture.  He has written film reviews for more than one hundred motion pictures for MovieBoozer, and his writing has appeared both online and in print.  Alex is a writer who dares to support the ones who pursue their dreams.