At the Snake Year Festival, a poem written by Jackie Chou at Spillwords.com

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At the Snake Year Festival

Jackie Chou·June 9, 2025

English Poetry

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At the Snake Year Festival

written by: Jackie Chou

I have nothing
nothing that you’d like

no pale shoulders
in gossamer straps

no gloved hands
or stilettoed feet

no glowing skin
of a blessed life

This new year
I am simply here

picking at the pork bun
and the sesame ball

I see you’re not pleased
or don’t notice me

this spotted face
these creased fingers

these feet that tread
on rocks and asphalt

you might have adored
many festivities ago

About
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Jackie Chou

Jackie Chou is a poet of free verses and Japanese short form poetry who has work forthcoming in Mollyhouse Lit and Cyan: an Anthology of Confessional Poetry. Her poem "Cycle of a Tree" was nominated for a Pushcart by Highland Park Poetry.

Suman Pokhrel

Suman Pokhrel is a Nepali poet, lyricist, playwright, translator, and artist. He debuted in 1999 with a poetry collection and has since published works, including translations of Shakespeare and global poets. His poems are translated into many languages and taught across South Asia. A two-time SAARC Literary Awardee, he also received Asia’s Inspiring Poet Award and was named Author of the Month by Spillwords in June 2023. Beyond literature, he works as a freelance consultant in socio-economic research, rural development, entrepreneurial development and creative writing. He began his career in Nepal’s civil service and later worked with international NGOs. He holds degrees in Science, Law, Business Administration, and Economics.

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