“H-Mart”
Seattle, 2023
i am here with you by the premade sushi.
by the out-of-season strawberries.
by the tofu. this is me telling you
that i am sorry. i am judging ramen labels
by the colors. i am hungry like only
a true american could be. i am starving
for something i can’t be fed.
i will look into the ocean.
i will eat stale rice and think of you
sweating with promise under the pacific sun
and i will wonder if you knew then
how america was only waiting
to sink its teeth into you. this is me
saying that the bite scars are hereditary.
i am hiding them under a tongue
that still butchers our name.
i am asking you to forgive me.
i am a new person
learning an old language. i will need time
to get it right. this is me understanding.
this is me saying thank you. i am crying
in the wine aisle. i am standing in our country.
i am trying to be full.
