by Robyn Joo Alberto, 12
The sun wanted to be looked at
She waited out all day
Like just before a warm embrace
She extended out her rays
She wanted to be looked at by the people down below
She illuminated the world only for them to reside in the shadows
The sun wanted to be looked at
the way they looked at her brother moon
How they stare at him in wonder
But for her they avert their gaze too soon
Was she simply not beautiful enough?
Then love was hard to earn
It did not matter how brightly she shined off
the love she gave was burned
The moon’s light is gentle
The sun’s is rough on the skin
But should loving something that causes pain put you in a state of sin?
The sun wanted to be looked at
Granting them the gift of sight
Only for them to go blind if they were ever to look into her light
Such is the paradox of life
We want what we can’t have
Stocked with willingness to give out love and not receive it back
The sun just wanted to be looked at
She did not choose this fate
They did not see but they knew it was her when they heard her quietly say:
Touch me and you’ll burn
Look at me and lose your sight
And try as hard as I might, I can never dim my light
But to burn and go blind and love me still is a privilege I cannot borrow
Although it hurts to continue another day, I’ll still return tomorrow
Red Bank, New Jersey
Reader’s note: I love the perspective of this piece, and love how common symbols like the sun and moon have been characterized. It provides a super unique voice that blends tragedy with perseverance.
Bridge Ink 