The sun went out in April, mom;

I’m not sure if you know.

It’d been fizzing for some time before,

In shades of illness, wilting glow.

The bulb was out in a moment, though,

It struggled in thin rays,

The veil of silence washed on top it

And stole from Earth its light.

The sun went out in April, mom;

Ten months and still it’s gone.

I don’t know how to walk or talk

Or see inside the dark.

It’s odd to see the world still moving,

Finding shades in dark

As if that burning, loving life

Was only present in mine.

The sun went out in April, mom;

It’s dark and time is gone.

It took with it the love and trust

Of framework in my soul.

I miss the sunny mornings falling

In love with the sky;

I don’t know if I’ll ever learn

To live without the dawn.

The sun went out in April;

Mom, the world fell out of line.

I find the raindrops, find the tears,

Everywhere I am, and God;

The sun went out in April and

The moon never stopped mourning and

I miss your love and warmth and

My God; I’m so sorry.

Myeong Hwak Choe, a member of the class of 2019, also goes by Cindy. She was born in Korea and moved to the U.S. when she was four.