Outside of Fiction

by Jiyoo Kim-Jung
9/27/24

I don’t believe in fate
And I don’t believe
In a perfect match so in
That sense, there is
No perfect partner, no
True love so you learn to love
Their flaws instead.

I don’t believe in fate
Outside of fiction
But I also
Believe that our lives
Are fiction we create in
Our minds and all
That is good
Is coincidence.

I don’t believe in fate
Because fate isn’t
Cruel
It is a scapegoat,
Just like how the world isn’t
Cruel
It just exists by the laws
Of chance, it is the people who are
Cruel.

I don’t believe in fate.
Correction: I don’t believe
In a fate not woven
By us.

***

(This piece is part of our yearlong series called Heart Beets that features the work of a group of teen writers, giving us a glimpse into their journey through the school year.)