My steamed buns tastes bland—

that’s why I should do something 

to make my steamed buns taste good.

But my friend said:

“This steamed bun is indeed bland, 

but who cares? 

At least I’m full.” 

He clearly doesn’t understand 

the essence of steamed buns!

With annoyance,

I reached for a knife to slice my 

steamed buns, 

to fill it with some flavors.

When I’m done. 

I tried to taste my steamed bun.

My steamed buns are no longer bland,

but, 

I feel like something is missing.

I keep trying over

and over again.

But I never found what was missing 

from my steamed buns.

Perhaps it wasn’t the flavor I sought, 

but the ghost of the hunger I fought. 

The sauce is sweet, 

the spices are rife, 

yet I miss the blankness of my buns.

For once the bun is filled and complete,

there is nothing left 

but to sit and eat. 

And in the silence of the final chew, 

I realized the blandness

was the only thing true.

He’s right. 

—Vania C.A (7d) ✌️✌️