If there’s nothing left but this: let it be
The old basko cart, not the new boutique
If there’s nothing left but this: let it be
Bowls of nasi goreng, not trashed bintang
If there’s nothing left but this: let it be
The jellyfish tendrils, not dead corals
If there’s nothing left but this: let it be
The soft blue sea, not plastic microbeads
If there’s nothing left but this: let it be
Lake villages, not white pilgrimages
If there’s nothing left but this: let it be
The family temples, not luxury hotels
If there’s nothing left but this: let it be
The Island of Gods, not gone forgotten
Stephanie Choi’s work can be found in Breakwater Review, Cosmonauts Ave, New Ohio Review, and elsewhere. She highly recommends you try drizzling tahini over ice cream.