Michelle Yang

Where I’m From #25 By Michelle YangInspired by George Ella Lyon I am from sweet potato noodlesfrom Shin Ramyun, jajangmyeon, and barley tea.From the apartment atop a Korean bathhouse(boisterous, chained, with bees buzzing between bristly bricks.) I am from the forbidden mango my Po-po sneaks me,the pulpy fibers cling between my baby teeth.I’m from incensed family shrines and stocky, 6-foot Northerner frames.From Yeh-yeh, Po-po, Lao-yeh, Lao-Lao.I’m from sacrifice, from the left-behind.I’m from ‘girls don’t fart’ and ‘never talk back.’ I’m from my grandmother’s templesto the suburban churches, I never belonged.I’m Chinese from Korea. Forever from the in-between.A Yankee-doodle riding on a red dragon.From War, Famine, and Gluttony— I rose.Nourished by kimbap, potato soup, kimchi, and McDonald’s fries. I am from Yeh Yeh’s pigeons, whom he fed nonstop in his dementiauntil the sidewalks crunched with our noodles. Where to find Michelle:Website: https://www.michelleyangwriter.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelleyangwriter/Where to find Alyson:Website: https://www.alysonshelton.comSubstack: https://whereimfrom.substack.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byalysonshelton/