Thaw

By Kimberly Nguyễn

Posted on September 1, 2025

Cover Image Title: Move to Beat

Cover Image by: Jules

Classification: Photography

Specifications: 4968 pixels X 6624 pixels

Year: 2025

Location: Ohio, U.S.A.

I met a boy in late winter 

In December, I could hardly see 

If not the clothes I shed for reciprocation,  

If not the cold shell I built from sharp mouths, 

It was the thick pool of salt in my eyes 

So I closed them

If they are shut for long enough, perhaps I can navigate my way 

Around this world, voluntarily blind 

I thought I had seen it all

The puffy eyes wore me down 

The silence of my mother’s beauty was the price to stop the stinging 

If the numbness willed, I would snap my fingers tips clean 

January always feels like a refreshing glass of cold water 

The one that reminds me that monday morning can’t be so bad 

that if I get out of bed today, 

If I open my eyes now,  

If I get going now, 

They say Friday isn’t so far 

And they were right…

I met a boy in late winter 

And then spring came 

Description: 

The poem is about heartbreak. The speaker recounts a hard time in their life when they felt as though they had reached rock bottom. They were exhausted after giving too much of themselves in hopes for love and warmth in return, but nothing came. This exhaustion caused them to feel as if life was no longer worth it: Mother Earth and all its gems are too out of reach, so there’s no point in losing more energy to seek new experiences until January. January is a month that I associate with renewal and the fresh, novel start of a new year- inspiring even, so I chose this as the turning point for the character. They are dipping their toes into brightness again after dark December. Later on, they are introduced to a new beauty that life has to offer, the new connection. 

[ Writing Editor: J. Y. ]