Weighted Bedset

Calendar Paper, Plastic Vacuum Storage Bag, Yarn, Bubble Wrap, Paper Pharmacy Medicine Bags, Bedding Set Bag

I have seen these calendars in my childhood, at noodle houses and grandparents’ living rooms. // How many days have passed this year? // Time seems to be frozen still when you’re an immigrant. // You do outdated things that Chinese people don’t do anymore. //No one uses these calendars outside the diaspora. // My father says that these calendars were meant to be used. // He tells me that after a child is born, their birth page is taken to a Chinese fortune teller, who tells them of their child’s future. // And it is written down. // It’s so you never forget the exact date. // Newsprint disintegrates as quickly as you allow it to. // The numbers make my head spin.

I have never been good at sleeping. // I go to Ralphs pharmacy to pick up my prescriptions once a month. // The packaging reminds me of the circus. // Isn’t it funny to pay money to function? // (I think it is) // (in a sad way) // People in the circus were celebrated for not being normal. // I don’t think I am doing that here. // One of my parents still doesn’t know, // that I go to Ralphs for more than just food. // Maybe they just need to know, // what it’s like to lay your head down at night, // and to hear your ears pop in the night.

The bedset is meant to be used. // Maybe for a nap, or a short burst of sleep. // Isn’t it so hard to rest when plastic rustles as you move? // I carry it with me in my sleep. // Loud, annoying, trashy, shitty. // You should try it. // To sleep with it. // No seriously, // try, // and sleep with it. // Sealed in this plastic bag, // protected from everything else, // frozen in a sterile state. // It will disintegrate eventually, // but not if I can help it. // The plastic packaging on these bags // say that these are great for long-term storage. // But they’re made of plastic. // Which we throw away after one use, // but simultaneously, // take so long to biodegrade. // What is valuable? What isn’t? // Who decides? // I have decided that it is treasure now. // I have used my hands to freeze time. // This blanket is trash, // but it will outlive me. // I am glad that it will.