from Oreos and Meiji Milk.

I am from the chirping bird 

and whistling squirrel in my front yard.

I am from the pandan leaves, 

the aloe vera plants.

I am from rice porridge breakfast, 

from black hair, 

from the smell of coffee in the morning.

I'm from the 7 am morning prays 

with 3 repeating verses that I can barely remember.

From homemade cheesecake, 

and Krispy Kreme donuts.

I am from the hugs and kisses.

From “goodnight” and 

“have you grown taller?”.

From my father’s constant running-TV-programs, 

my mother’s morning newspaper reads, 

and my brother’s phone call with our sister from the north.

I am from the sizzling hot pot dinner that is loving and warm.

I am from the house on the hill over the way, a quaint old thing, 

with a brick chimney. 

The old wooden front door betrays the modern interior. 

I am from Shepards pie, and pork ribs, 

their smell of meat wafting through my nostrils.

It tasted like mashed potatoes and hopeful dreams, 

and the pork ribs, a thought of a beautiful hot summer day out on the water. 

The feeling felt like memories of days long gone, 

and hopes of the days that are soon to come. 

I am from the bluebonnet, the winecup and eryngos. 

The herbs that define my home, Texas, 

whose purplish hue were used to protect American settlers of old from the harsh, bright sun. 

I'm from grand, buffet dinners and Card Game Fridays every week,

 from Kristine Watson and Christian Watson.

 I'm from the good-hearted, and the thoughtful and kind, 

and the no-nonsense, get-it-done vibe. 

From the frightened, howling wind rustling our house at night and relief and disappointment that I'll never see a tornado. 

I'm from “Study hard, do your best, take care of each other”, 

with the school bell ringing for next classes, 

and I'm from Seattle, Washington, and Austin, Texas, 

warm cooked beans, apple pie, 

and from the movie nights in the media room with the whole family, 

the tradition especially being loved by my father. 

From the park outside our house, 

the community swimming pool a few miles west, 

the elementary school class photos, 

pet cats of old and of ochre, 

bringing me back to times of yonder. 

I am from the Lone Star State, 

and old friends who I still contact, 

and like the native Americans of the 1700s, 

I will pass on what I know and cherish to the next generation of my family.

from Legos that created my childhood and my iPhone.

I am from the second floor balcony with a great view of the city.

(High, gorgeous

The perfect view.)

I am from the Purple Orchids,

the Aloe Veras

with their sharp spikes pointing outwards

behind my house.

I am from family gatherings

from a family full of empathy,

from Craig and Surachada and Purdon.

I am from the forgetful and determined.

From safety first and health before work. 

I am from Buddhism

a religion that sees all life as equal.

I'm from the Vichaiyut Hospital 

from American to Thai ancestry,

fried rice and grilled chicken.

From my sister’s first musical role as the villain

to my concussion when I fell off of my bicycle,

and the two best dogs I could ever have.

I am from the blaring sun covering the sandy beaches of Hua Hin 

where my best memories were made and captured

using my eyes and a camera.

from Bloch shoes and 7/11 sandwiches. 

I am from the messy but cozy bedrooms,
lived in, and painted with personality.

(Shared blankets and dusty piles of knick-knacks are commonly found.)

I am from home-grown vegetables and the aloe vera plant,

whose cooling touch has healed many burns.

I’m from spring roll making days and big laughs,

from Lalida to Scott.

I’m from the louder-than-life’s and the keep-to-myself’s,

from "go downstairs!" 
to "make sure you eat."

I’m from believing of faith in all and none, 
whatever I choose,

just be a good person regardless. 

I’m from Los Angeles and Isan, on opposite sides of the globe, 
meeting together by chance.

From mom’s homemade Thai meals to spicy street food.

From siblings barging into my room with a soccerball during a test 

to parents showing random cat videos that lead to science discussions. 

On my table is an unfinished bullet journal I put off,

with marker doodles and attempts at calligraphy,

waiting to be filled when I write

to my heart’s content. 

I am from those memories,

one’s that will be written someday. 

I am from Nintendo games, from Just Dance and Wii sports.

I am from the coarse brick-covered house common in the Sydney suburbs

I am from the lime tree, the strawberry patch. 

I am from the sharp corner on the shed that is the perfect ‘knife’ for cutting open limes.

I am from running back to the TV when the ads have finished. 

I am from long nights, from advice from Mum and support from Dad.

I am from the long talks and big gatherings. 

From “call me, no matter what” and “No shoes on the carpet!”.

I am from Christmas for gifts and Easter for chocolate. 

I am from the hot dry land, Spaghetti Bolognese and The Lawrence Family Special. 

I am from the dream catcher above my bed and the photos hung on the gyp-rock wall. 

I am from the garage brick wall labelled with our heights throughout the years. 

I am from Australia the Outback

from hot and cold

It looks deserted

I am from the yellow golden wattle

the eucalyptus

whose bitter yet warm

I'm from camping and brown eyes 

from Andrew and Lorinda

I'm from the self-conscious

from good sleeps and sweet dreams

I'm from the Aussies 

The tough and strong

I’m from Sydney, Australia

sausages and steak

from the baldness of Andrew

The brown hair of Lorinda 

The River

The sand on the beach

the heat of Port Macquarie 

to remember to think

I am from the summer heat 

I’m from land down under, Australia   

From the Kawai piano and sheet music.

I am from the triple bunk bed

I used to share with my twin and little sister.

I am from the the blueberry bush,

the limelight hydrangea

Whose flowers bloomed

Only during the rainy days in June.

I am from the fights with my sisters and dark brown eyes.

From a strict Mum and a gentle Dad.

I am from the black haired and short heighted.

From “Do your homework!” and “Be kind to your sister!”.

I am from a jumble of Buddhism and Shintoism.  
I am from the Gods that exists in all things,

from the 🤬 in a single piece of rice to the 🤬 in Mt Fuji, the highest mountain in Japan.

I am from an urban district in the city of Tokyo.

I am from my great grandpa who was a kimono craftsmen,

cooked rice and miso soup.

I am from the movie nights watching Ghibli

and the rap music blasting out from my twin’s bedroom.

I am from the magnets my Dad collects

from every country we have travelled.
From England, France, Spain and Germany.

I am from the photo albums my mum made,

Sitting on the bookshelf and lined up chronologically

When memories were made.

from the smell of Yorkshire tea and freshly cooked rice.

I am from the newly cut grass 

(Green, glossy from the dew

it always stained my shirt.)

I am from the tadpoles,

the water lilies, 

whose faces would pop out of the pond, 

as if they knew the arrival of us in the garden.

I’m from the car journeys to school and the constant rows, 

from my twin and my little sister. 

I’m from the nail digging and the neck choking,  

from the “It wasn’t me” to the “Just be quiet”.

I’m from my mother’s “I don’t care who it was”,

and ten ways of saying sorry. 

I’m from Tokyo and Houghton Le Spring,

Green tea and Yorkshire puddings.

From the constant moving every 4 years,

To the fight my grandpa lost to cancer. 

Beneath my bookshelf is an old shoe box clinging to my memories,

The smell of rain on my coat, and the journey to school I once took every day, trying to slip away. 

I am from those moments, the leaves I took for granted, falling silently yet surely, right before my very eyes. 

I am from the torn pieces of shoes under my dog’s bed. 

Carefree and fortunate, where disturbance never appeared. It felt like I was flying on a cloud.

I am from the lilac flowers on my balcony. , the blossoming of syringa , whose calming and soft 

I'm from Christmas day, opening gifts at 6 am,

from Tim and May.

I'm from the rock-hard-souls 

and the do-it-yourselves.

From “it's far from you're heart” and “Money doesn't grow on trees."

I'm from always trying my best with every aspect in life.

I'm from Sukhumvit and via Solano , Take out and Homemade bolognese .

From the replacement of my grandmas hip. The braveness, my parents have to work on an airplane .

I am from the beach in la paz, waiting for me to get bit by a crab .

From nose bleeds and “you'll be fine."

Reminiscing and making me want to turn back time to.

I am from those moments 

To turn back the clock, to restore past memories, to how life was.