If the slant of an eye could create a sign of hate
A sign of constant teasing
A sign of stereotypical comments
A sign of difference
Then what good can a slant do?

The slant builds schools like IS 5
The slant serve traditional báhn mì sandwiches like Jojus
The slant push food carts for hours just to earn a single dollar bill
The slant works hard to pay for college tuition at NYU
Elmhurst

It’s wrinkle shows courage from studying late at night
for failing the test would cause dishonor from parents
It’s wrinkle shows the many Peking ducks that have been cut
proudly displaying on the window for the public to crave
It’s wrinkle show the power of the red, rickety carts
and the abundance of cans in large plastic bags waiting to be recycled for money
It’s wrinkle show the benefits of doing tai chi
At 6 am in Broadway Park
Elmhurst

The slant is surrounded by new apartments owned by wicked landowners
who lust over money
The slant is surrounded by homeless men who called Elmhurst station home
The slant is surrounded by the whooshing of cars flying by on Queens Boulevard
The slant is surrounded by the sounds of “one dollar” and names of exotic Chinese fruits
Elmhurst

The slant sees the struggle an elderly man has crossing Queens Boulevard in time
And the steam from the handmade dumplings
And the colorful bags from the shops at Queens Center Mall
And the bleak remains of motels that once sat tall and proud next to the Pan Am hotel
Elmhurst

The slant is constantly reminded the color of red catching to the eye
Which shows the luck one is blessed with
The slant reminds everyone that looks do deceive
That the spirit of home is truly what brings life and character
Despite the crimes and looks of the old churches
Elmhurst

A slant can bring culture to a place
A haven where one can live with no boundaries
A place where one can dream a dream
A place where there are endless futures

Slant is not a celebrity
Slant is not just a place
Slant is a community
that shows the dreams can be achieved
Slant is the way of life
Slant is hope to all
Regardless of class or looks
Slant is Elmhurst