Home » Poems » Hi-Dong Chai » Being Hungry In America

Being Hungry In America

(Austin, TX, 1955) Mother writes me From Korea Ravaged by the war: You are so blessed Living in America Land of peace Land of plenty I mumble: Mother I eat two raw eggs In the morning Three pieces of Wonder bread For supper To save money for tuition I’m very hungry I’m also very lonely I eat my eggs and bread Sitting in front of vanity mirror To keep company With a person in the mirror But I’m determined to succeed And make you proud Please stay well until I return

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Anthony Biaanco

Date: 7/5/2020 4:11:00 PM

Hi -Hi Dong, purely expressed sentiments.. It was ramen noodles- beans and 10 lb bags of rice for me. Godbless anthony

Gershon Wolf

Date: 1/2/2020 8:12:00 PM

This so resonates with me, Hi-Dong. As an ESL teacher in Chicago, I taught over 6,000 immigrants to the USA, between 1990 - May, 2019, 100's of Koreans included. I am proud of you, and know that your mother was VERY proud of you. YOU are the face of America. Thank you, Gershon.

Quoth Theraven

Date: 12/26/2019 10:42:00 AM

Hi-Dong, Wishing you a happy holiday season. Looking forward to finding new horizons.., or old ones, from your poetry. Home is where memories linger, so home, it will always be. -Richard

Quoth Theraven

Date: 12/7/2019 12:58:00 AM

Hi-Dong, This road you've taken is long and crooked. But it hasn't been for naught. Bless the man, and message. -Richard

Jenish Somadas

Date: 12/3/2019 3:43:00 AM

Reality is far from imagination.. Beautifully expressed..