I am from tomes, dictionaries, and paperbacks
from plants, instruments, and unhealthy snacks
I am from a house full of fun
Where there’s laundry that’s just never done
Where toys are scattered all around the floor
and a single dart board hangs on my door
I am from the flowers my mom planted outside our home
so bright and beautiful countless bugs roam

I’m from the fireworks that light the sky on New Year’s Day
and all the joss paper we burn away
I am from the hard-working and intelligent
from the irritating and the lazy
From kind and generous Ya-Li
to hard-worker Chung-Yi
From be yourself both night and day
to work so you can play

From my mom’s side they have Taoism
and for my dad’s there’s no religion
I’m from Richmond and the island surrounded by sea
From cheeseburgers, milk, and oolong tea
I’m from the time my brother got lost in the mall
from the finger he broke in a painful fall
I’m from the thick glasses my father wears
and the food he brings that he always shares