Author’s Note: Hello everyone! It has been a while since I last uploaded new works on my WordPress. Fall 2021 semester has been very difficult for me so I haven’t had too much time to edit or even write creatively. But I remember that I had some works stashed away in my vault so I decided to upload these while I try to complete my other side projects. I hope you all are doing well and enjoy!

2 Minutes Read

---

How did you survive here?

I mean, you’re still alive in this town so something must’ve worked. You’re staying for education but besides that, what else are you staying here for? What else are you waiting for?

20th street park is dead silent now. No more false fire alarms going off in Chapman Elementary. No more music of mischievous Hmong kids running around the playgrounds. The rooted trees disappear like people.

How many students from your elementary class graduated with you from Chico High? How many of you are deceased or jailed? How many are you actually went to college? Do you see how you’ve all changed?

Do you hate me? Surely you must… for I’ve blessed you and yet, I’ve taken so much from you. I’ve housed you, raised you, and forsaken you. The tiny little cub who wasn’t supposed to survive did.

I saw you lose your first kiss on White Avenue. I saw you simping to your crush during Junior prom on Patrick Ranch. I saw you cry yourself to sleep at night on Colorado, Midway, Virginia, and Guill street.

Hate me, resent me, curse me to hell, and hope I burn with everything you have. Have it so that when you hear my name and violent voice. You will shake and quiver with fear like on November 20th in 2015.

So when the time comes to leave me. It’ll feel natural and healing. To finally sigh with relief that you’ve defeated your demons. Even as the tears of joy and sadness you held in for so long escape you.
Because I am the town that raised you, my me nyuam ntsuag.

---

Hello, I would appreciate it if you would give me feedback on what you enjoyed and what you didn’t. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to comment or email me too! Thank you.