bittersweet

By Katrina Concepcion

Life is bittersweet

Bitter as memories pass.

Sweet as it’s lived through

The first steps I took

Faded away into my

First time on a bike

Life is bittersweet

Harsh as I suffer in school

But pleasant with friends

The first test I failed

Was the test my friends failed too.

My mom was not happy.

Life is bittersweet

Awful as I had to move;

Nothing was pleasant.

Everything near me

Was unknown; scared, alone, and sad-

I wanted to leave.

Summer and Fall passed,

I was left in my own thoughts.

I resented all.

Nothing brought me joy.

My parents tried everything.

I felt sorry for them.

Life is bittersweet.

Time passed. I met new friends and

Made new memories.

High school is mostly

over. Graduation is

around the corner

Life is bittersweet.

Cherish it at the moment

As it will soon pass.

Artist Statement

Behind the Words

The word "bittersweet" came to me when I was driving home on the highway. I was merely thinking about the future I have created for myself. The series of haikus that I wrote reflects some of the significant moments in life, such as failing a test my mother was not happy about, and how moving has affected my future permanently. All of it created a domino effect and changed my life. Was I struggling at the time? Yes. Am I grateful for all of the experiences? Yes. This shaped me into who I am as a person. It is sad to see that all of these moments are only remembered in various journals I wrote, pictures I took, and in this haiku I wrote. But I know that future me will be grateful to have something to look back on.