I am from paper
From origami paper and watercolor paper.
I am from the closet beneath my staircase, white, small
It looked bigger as a child.
I am the cactus orchid, the queen of the night whose beauty is not appreciated by many
I’m from the red envelopes and New Year’s in February
From ông nôi and ba ngoai
I’m from loud-mouths and smart children
Yes sir not yes man and
The tooth fairy is real
I’m from He protects me with a jade stone cross
I’m from New orleans and Vietnam
Pho and fried rice
From the young girl who traveled across the sea to escape a war and live a new life to
A boy who loves her as his wife
On a shelf is a book of this woman and this man with their family and friends
The man and woman - whom I call mom and dad