Hiraeth

A Vietnamese immigrant at the age of 16 months,

brought to the United States on a plane

held by the loving arms of my parents,

raised to know parts of my culture,

speaking Viet at home and English everywhere else.

 

Wearing silk dresses in February,

bowing gracefully to my elders

I ate, behaved, lived Vietnamese--

but in an American society.

 

Mẹ, how do you say this word?

Bố, how do you make this dish?

 

Vietnam is far away.

Childhood stories

take me to its lush hills,

serene riverbeds, and bustling city life.

I can only go so far in my parents’ memories.

 

I dream of a life I never lived,

of coming home.