Kiyana Kiyono Long Beach, California

Kiyana is a college student planning to major in Early Childhood Education, minor in Spanish, and become an elementary school teacher. She loves performing in music ensembles on both the flute and the oboe. Kiyana enjoys writing poetry in her free time. She has had her poetry published in Acacia, the Long Beach Poly High literary magazine, and by the National Library of Poetry. She is currently writing an anthology of poems individually dedicated to her closest friends. Kiyana says, "Words can be very powerful. Poetry allows me to express my feelings, both somber and humorous, in an appreciated, artistic form."

How Will I Know? How will I know how to comfort her when she comes to me with her tears? How can I teach her right and wrong from everything she hears? How will I encourage her on her first day of school? How will I teach her to use a bad experience as a tool? Will I give her lowfat milk or make her drink it whole? How will I react when she first tells me that she stole? What type of clothes will I dress her in? Formal? Dressy? Plain? Will I scold her for jumping in mud puddles or playing in the rain? All of these things, one would think, a Mom would surely know. But how can I know all of them? You weren't there to see me grow. You weren't there to teach me right from wrong. Your morals to me were never shown. How can I raise a daughter without a mother of my own?

Moment of Glory Feeling my heart in my throat, I Approach center stage, And I raise my flute to my lips. The piano strikes a chord. I begin to play. Melodic lines flow from my fingertips. The tones are so beautiful. I know I'm doing well. My confidence grows. I have played brilliantly. I smile to myself As my piece draws to a close. A second of silence, then The audience roars appreciatively, For I've told their story. My role on earth now fulfilled Years of hard work, One moment of glory.

I listened to my heart I didn't want to let myself fall for you too hard. I wanted to protect myself and not let down my guard. But your golden eyes and gentle smile became too much for me. And I found myself dreaming about how things could be. We had become the best of friends. I didn't want to ask for more. I feared that I might scare you off, and you'd leave me for sure. But when you held me tight and kissed me, my fears melted away. And I listened to my heart, when it told me to obey. I let you set my heart free, but in my head I knew. You cared a bit for me, but not as much as I loved you. I gave you all I had to give, and you took all that I had. Even though I knew it had to end, I never let my heart grow sad. You called to say good-bye that day. My voice you wanted to hear. But I never had expected that for me you'd shed those tears. We shared a summer romance, and through it all I doubted you. I never figured that I meant as much to you as I do. But in the end, you let me know you really do love me. I said that I love you too. Friends forever we will be. The last night that I saw you, those gold eyes were filled with woe. My arms longed to hold you close, but I had to let you go. I would do it again if I could. I found so much love in you. Although my head objected, my heart knew what to do.

All poems Copyright © 1996 Kiyana Kiyono. All rights reserved.