2025/Spencer -

I am from The Land of the Morning Calm

From ancient temples and red tile roofs

I am from the infectious K-pop under the cherry blossoms

It smelled like 떡볶이.

I am from savory spices,

The sour Kimchi

Whose fermented vegetables and seasonings I remember

As if they were my own.

I am from cranes and skyscrapers

From Thomas and 혜영

I am from Lieutenant Colonel and the Stay-at-Home.

From “Be Quiet!” and “Stop!”

I am from ebony and ivory

With a sharp and a flat

And ten songs I can play myself.

I am from waters and gardens

From the silence lost to the jets,

To the glistening skies that keep shining.

Under my bed was a purple box filled with toy cars.

A feeling of sadness on the first day of school

To drift beneath my dreams.

I am those moments -

Where I smiled before I laughed.

I am a dandelion hanging from the family tree.

- Inspired by George Ella Lyon