2025/Kristen -

I am from the Land of the Morning Calm,

From Hanok Village and high mountains.

I am from the homes of the apartment under the bright signs,

It smelled like deep sky blue and wide.

I am from where the past and future lives

The place where tigers ran long, long ago

Whose stories and folktales I remember

As if they were my own.

I am from freedom and peace,

From War Fighter and Stay-at-Home.

I am from the smart

And the child,

From “Do you have homework?” and “Good morning!”

I am from the land of K-pop that are shades of purple

With a dandelion flowing across the sky

And ten piano pieces I can play myself.

I’m from golfing and beaches,

Guitar and violin.

From the grandma lost to the time

To the visits used to keep me bored.

Under my bed was a drawer spilling games,

A moment of joy

To drift beneath my dreams.

I am from those moments-

That I lost before I won.

I am a leaf learning from the family tree.

- Inspired by George Ella Lyon