Where I’m From

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l1UbS9uJh6U

Where I’m from

By Won Sik Park

 

I come from a calm and soothing lullaby,

the sweet tunes that sang me to sleep.

I come from droplets of my parents’ sweat and tears

that washed me clean.

I come from a dad, who always encouraged me,

but sometimes disciplined me with the stinging 회초리 (hue cho ri.)

His belly just like the mountain was my own little comfort zone

where I lay my small head when I was tired.

I come from my mom’s gentleness,

She constantly supported me and taught me how to care for others.

But once in awhile, she would get mad at me

because of my lack of carefulness in my word choice.

I come from the wrinkles of my grandma

who would gladly become a giving tree

and my grandpa who always told me to become a lawyer,

patting me on the back that I CAN DO IT.

I come from my little brother,

even though he should be called a big brother because he’s taller now,

he will just stay as a little one.

The Socks Fight,

pretending to be soldiers,

throwing rolled-up socks to hit each other.

The Soccer practices,

I used to easily outrun him,

but now it is one challenging thing to do.

 

I come from the spiciness of김치 (Kimchi)

used in almost everything I eat.

I come from a wrong encounter with vinegar,

I smelled it too closely when I was young,

and said “Woah, disgusting.”

since then I refuse to eat something vinegary.

I come from respectful bows,

on a “Happy New Year” day.

My forehead touched the ground

stayed there for a few seconds

and came back up to feel my grandparents’ warm hugs.

I come from countless Korean TV shows,

cracking up because they are so funny.

you guys should watch them.

I come from a small soccer field,

where dreams and passions played.

Once wanting to be a soccer player

imagining how it would feel

to stand in a stadium filled with supporters.

But, that didn’t work out. Sadly.

 

 

I come from the blood

the Lamb shed on the Cross,

and the word “Sacrifice.”

Teaching me how to live,

showing me how to love,

and promising me a “Paradise.”

I come from praise team band,

putting our hearts together

crying out

to offer the highest praise.

I come from those nights when I sang “Jesus!”

with guitar straps around my neck

my right hand constantly strumming up and down

my mouth so closely to the microphone

that it started to smell pretty bad after a while.

 

I come from the first year after I moved to America,

suffering from the language barrier

never saying a word in classes.

But when I became quite fluent in English

that felt good.

I couldn’t believe myself speaking another language.

Oh my goodness.

I come from the day when everyone in my family cried,

because the sudden change was hard.

We held our hands and prayed

that God

please help us.

I come from those sleepless nights,

with butterflies flying around in my stomach,

texting and texting, talking and talking, calling and calling

again and again, again and again, again and again.

Now I hold her hands firmly

with the love that I learned.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my heart is an unspoken language

willing to travel the world unknown,

the black and white keys

that will open the door named “Myself.”

With a simple touch comes a new song

expressing my state of mind.

The melodies wait for me,

desperately seeking my help.

One day I will have my own band,

with my songs and melodies

with my ideas and imaginations.

 

I come from the pieces

that will eventually come together

as a family,

a congregation,

an orchestra.