Where I’m From
by Nathan Yoon
I am from vast cornfields,
From the University of Illinois my father worked at,
Where I learned how to count to ten
With the mother who I loved.
I’m from “안녕하세요” and “잘 먹겠습니다”
From my grandparents’ city
In a land thirteen hours ahead of mine.
I’m from the island of Avalon,
Where I fractured my right arm
From the Razor I rode alongside my brother.
I’m from the Windows XP in my father’s bedroom,
Where I spent countless hours
Not doing homework,
But playing flash games.
I’m from my mother,
Who still treats me like a child
And tells me to “straighten up your back”
Every thirty minutes.
I’m from my father.
He leaves me alone,
Expecting only perfect grades from me in return.
(He doesn’t get them.)
The beautiful watch I bought with my money
Now cracked, forever stuck at 6:56
Reminds me of those days
Where time seemed to stand still
Back to the era
When I was happier.
안녕하세요: /an-nyeong-ha-sae-yo/; hello in Korean.
잘 먹겠습니다: /jal meok-gae-seub-ni-da/; often used before eating a meal, roughly corresponds to “I will eat well”
by Nathan Yoon
I am from vast cornfields,
From the University of Illinois my father worked at,
Where I learned how to count to ten
With the mother who I loved.
I’m from “안녕하세요” and “잘 먹겠습니다”
From my grandparents’ city
In a land thirteen hours ahead of mine.
I’m from the island of Avalon,
Where I fractured my right arm
From the Razor I rode alongside my brother.
I’m from the Windows XP in my father’s bedroom,
Where I spent countless hours
Not doing homework,
But playing flash games.
I’m from my mother,
Who still treats me like a child
And tells me to “straighten up your back”
Every thirty minutes.
I’m from my father.
He leaves me alone,
Expecting only perfect grades from me in return.
(He doesn’t get them.)
The beautiful watch I bought with my money
Now cracked, forever stuck at 6:56
Reminds me of those days
Where time seemed to stand still
Back to the era
When I was happier.
안녕하세요: /an-nyeong-ha-sae-yo/; hello in Korean.
잘 먹겠습니다: /jal meok-gae-seub-ni-da/; often used before eating a meal, roughly corresponds to “I will eat well”
Where I'm From
by Caleb Gao
I am from rice paper
from linen and silk and lace.
I am from ancient Greek sculptures
(Profound and solitary,
youthful and mourning.)
I am from Aloe vera
the jade plant
whose tender leaves keep me company
within my room.
I’m from dark chocolate and oolong tea,
from porcelain cups and silver spoons.
I’m from dim sum
and mooncakes,
from dumplings and egg tarts.
I’m from the yearning lyrics of Mitski,
Venus, planet of love
was destroyed by global warming.
I’m from sticky summer afternoons,
spent sketching the trees.
From promenades across the beach
on cool, misty evenings,
the days spent in Wuhan’s sweltering heat.
On my desk is a clutter of knickknacks:
worn books, borrowed pens, and full sketchbooks.
I am from that collection
of mementos from the past.
by Caleb Gao
I am from rice paper
from linen and silk and lace.
I am from ancient Greek sculptures
(Profound and solitary,
youthful and mourning.)
I am from Aloe vera
the jade plant
whose tender leaves keep me company
within my room.
I’m from dark chocolate and oolong tea,
from porcelain cups and silver spoons.
I’m from dim sum
and mooncakes,
from dumplings and egg tarts.
I’m from the yearning lyrics of Mitski,
Venus, planet of love
was destroyed by global warming.
I’m from sticky summer afternoons,
spent sketching the trees.
From promenades across the beach
on cool, misty evenings,
the days spent in Wuhan’s sweltering heat.
On my desk is a clutter of knickknacks:
worn books, borrowed pens, and full sketchbooks.
I am from that collection
of mementos from the past.
Where I’m From
by Aedan Fahy
I am from the long rack of snapback hats,
lined up across the bright blue wall.
I am from athletic t-shirts and elastic shorts.
I am from worn and dribbled basketballs to NFL signed footballs,
autographed by Hall of Famers and prized inside my room.
I’m from the most terrifying thrill rides and action packed Marvel movies.
I’m from the crabapple tree,
the one that always steals all the sunlight on our street.
I’m from the sizzling burgers fresh off the grill during relaxing barbeques in the backyard.
I am from the sweat and tears from my Korean immigrant grandparents.
I am from the long line of O’Briens, Carrolls, and Fahys,
the Irish side of the family
From Chris and Irene,
who both taught me the important values of honesty, integrity, and accountability.
I am from hopes and dreams, the pursuit of endless possibilities.
by Aedan Fahy
I am from the long rack of snapback hats,
lined up across the bright blue wall.
I am from athletic t-shirts and elastic shorts.
I am from worn and dribbled basketballs to NFL signed footballs,
autographed by Hall of Famers and prized inside my room.
I’m from the most terrifying thrill rides and action packed Marvel movies.
I’m from the crabapple tree,
the one that always steals all the sunlight on our street.
I’m from the sizzling burgers fresh off the grill during relaxing barbeques in the backyard.
I am from the sweat and tears from my Korean immigrant grandparents.
I am from the long line of O’Briens, Carrolls, and Fahys,
the Irish side of the family
From Chris and Irene,
who both taught me the important values of honesty, integrity, and accountability.
I am from hopes and dreams, the pursuit of endless possibilities.
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