Teen Ink

thisis where I live
with scented smells of mom's Chinese cooking
pungent sweetPeking sauces sauntering in the air
steam of the rice seeping in mynostrils
sizzling cracking to life simmering on the skillet
warm glow ofthe dim kitchen light catches mom's sweating brow
just right
this is whereI live
candles I light dripping under flickering flame
a downy mattresscatches my falling body
when I close my eyes to dream
nights when moonlightflows tranquilly through the blinds
toes wiggling in the warmth that hugsme
just right
this is where I live
dad striding through thedoor
gallant soft brown eyes gleaming,
as he bends to kiss my mom'sforehead,
the same eyes twinkle that look at me
with a wrinkled smile thathits me
just right
this is where I live
careless singing andchanting
woes released with each vivacious breath
piano notes dancing totheir own concert
my eager fingers tapping the ivory keys
the lyrics of mysoul that always sound
just right
This is where I live.