I Am From…

I am from the flickering TV screen,
that continuously played the Lord of the Rings.
From the mountains of stuffed animals,
and the piano that held all of my melodies from the past.
I am from the big brick house on the edge of the street,
and the kitchen that held the permanent scent of satisfying smells.

I am from the dry garden,
with weeds pointing every which way.
From the grandfather tree whose long gone limbs cling onto me as if they were my own.
I am from Chinese New Year,
and the rush of skiing down a snowy mountain.
From the hard working mom,
and the annoying older brother who calls me his slave.

I am from the big Thanksgiving parties,
and baking moon cakes filled with a delectable filling.
From watching a movie with my dad every other week.

I am from “Stop arguing!” And “Start working!”,
and the magic tree house that took me everywhere.
I’m from the everlasting fun of family game night ever other week,
in which my family’s laughter echoes through the neighborhood.

I’m from the Lone Star State,
and the taekwondo studio that felt like a second home.
From the fresh hot pots,
and the exquisite tastes of handmade dumplings.
From the time a monstrous wave almost killed me with its powerful force,
A painful experience that acts like a scar that I can’t get rid of.

I am from those moments,
which are the grains of memories on a lost beach,
locked in the safest place in which my heart holds the key.
I’m like the branch that swayed in the wind of my family tree,
a chameleon,
but not invisible.