i blink. shrug.

squint my eyes, stare into the golden sun.

the tinkling sound of

laughter coming from the nearby playground

brings the air alive with joy.

joy i can't find without help anymore.

"i trained for 3 years in seoul. a week before debut i was sent back here. my group went on without me.

it's been about year."

her eyes cloud with a misty horror

i know too well.

"i'm so, so sorry."

"don't be."

it sounds cold, icy in the warm summer air.

the flowers around me seem to loose a bit of their colour.

the johnny-jump-ups fade into the grass,

the bright chrysanthemums wilting under

the weight of memories.

"the company took my childhood. my life.

and yet they gave me nothing but 'sorry' in return."