I am the definition of Chinese

And don’t mistake my Chinese for

Hers or his or theirs.

This is lyw’s Chinese

And I am all Chinese,

Whosoever stands before me and those who stand behind,

Know that I will always be Chinese

Maybe a little cheese, please, on top

If I please, then I please, Chinese.

 

Because I am Chinese

I was born Chinese,

            And who tried to teach me how to be, being born

The writing’s on that carefully dried rice paper.

            A spring roll of language wrapped around my tongue

            Tasty, tongue-tying, dripping with plum sauce.

 

I’ll claim the language that first taught me to curse,

So know this,

Whatever pavements or dirt paths I tread,

That is where Chinese has been

However I lift my hand or turn my hip

That is what Chinese does.

The stitches of red, embroidered silk

Will be cool and soft against my skin.

Will not weigh upon me, somebody else’s

History.

 

Because I am lyw.

I was born

I will die.

lyw crept into my face

The wear of rain and snow

And what is a lyw after she’s been

Laid out on the rolls of Canadian copy paper?

 

To whoever thinks they have the voodoo charm to

Disown me from my face

Know that I have stolen their Gold Mountain

            On my back

To a strange and lywlyw land.

© lyw