c. c. hsu

one poem

in the botanical gardens at berkeley

mountain ash: purple-blue, droops facing down
the boojum tree is a succulent (light-lover,
his name is candle)
I found them near king protea
with lady banks rose
in south africa, holding court

where blue marguerite stands, she sweeps
golden hurricane lilies curl their fingertips (beckon)
come,
a giant meadowsweet is not mean at all
and the roses are in bloom this year.

in the shade, in the shadows,
(love-in-a-mist, at a glance, at a touch)
oleander bows to gladwin iris
pingo-pingo!
and the jewels of opar (sweet) on a summer day
in the tantrums, in the tropics,
there croons the trumpet tree
the peacock plant - they
do sing, do sweat in coffee-studded dirt
do everything and grow under the heavy, tropic sun

and in the channel islands,
yampah and earth stars
sway
grand bravado and fiery might

come,
a giant meadowsweet is not mean at all
and the roses are in bloom this year.
the roses are in bloom, this year.

c . c . hsu began reading and writing poetry during high school. Her heroes in poetry include Mary Oliver, Maya Angelou, e. e. cummings, and Langston Hughes. Her heroes in history include Joan of Arc, Amelia Earhart, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Rosa Parks. Her heroes in life include her mother and father, older sister, and irreplaceable friends.

c . c . hsu is working on a collection of poetry, titled Pressed Flowers Bare Skin, to be published on Amazon in 2021. She can also be found presently on Instagram @_cc.hsu_ , where she shares her writing.