Happy New Year! I am reflecting on my writing goals for this year, and I want to share my new resolution with you: exploring different kinds of writing!
For this year’s Palos Verdes Library District Anthology 2017, Voices From the Peninsula, I wrote a poem called “Mother Who Are You.” It was in response to a poem that my daughter, Claire, wrote about me called “Assimilation in Seven Parts.” I imitated her style and some phrases, and tried to respond to the questions I thought she presented in her poem.
I consulted with my poet friend, Tanya Ko Hong. I read it out loud this week at the library and it felt great! Several people approached me afterward saying it resonated with them, especially the last line. Let me know if it does with you too.
MOTHER WHO ARE YOU?
Rosa Kwon Easton
after my daughter’s poem about me, Assimilation in Seven Parts
| I I am a girl frozen in time 1971 Haewon who was me age seven who learned about America borrowing books TV shows dreaming can I be Marcia in The Brady Bunch? |
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| II you ask assimilation what does it mean? choose a new land ignore the other hot dogs over rice apple pie over kimchi Hankook saram, Mikook saram? who are you? |
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| III assimilation to me becoming like others want to fit in recite Dick & Jane drawing laughter sometimes sneers from teachers pale as ghosts |
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| IV assimilation means a playground I would leave to one that would leave me hungry for a name easy to pronounce Haewon became Rosa picked from American baby name book |
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| V assimilation is choosing potential identities try that color suits for a time enemy chanting Chinese dirty knees put on that face others recommend you become that person inside and out I am that person I don’t even question |
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| VI assimilation to me having my hapa children half-full or half-empty or are they double nothing like I was or am a new generation less defined intersecting challenging overcoming |
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| VII my daughter wrote a poem Umma, who are you? I am curious how about you? I hid in shame but you didn’t forget my name is Haewon meaning graceful princess your name is Heewon hope everlasting stories buried in time memories that are mine now yours to keep with gratitude I weep |
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Have a comment? I’d love to read it! Leave a note below or at Facebook and let me know what’s on your mind.
Just beautiful. Your poem make me cry every time I hear it.
Thank you Jennifer! I’m glad you were able to hear it being read aloud. Thank you also for your comments on the working draft and caring about my work. You keep me going!
Rosa, this is simply beautiful. Clear, crisp and powerful!
Carol so good to hear from you. Thank you for reading!
Wonderful poem. Moving.
I’m so glad we’ve connected and you enjoyed my poem. Looking forward to your new book coming out this year!
Rosa, your poem is beautiful. It opened up a window to you for me. Thank you!
Thank you Nancy! It means a lot that you read my poem.