I am from Chrysanthemum
From a vast fertile delta land
and Yangtze River.
I am from the tea set,
Quietly, elegantly standing on the table
Pouring out the scent of history
From the icicle hung over the roof.
From my grandma, Qinglun comes from the northernmost province of China.
and my mother, Shouju
From mint
and ginkgo
I am from the chopping board
Chopping and Rolling,
nostalgic dumplings,
beans and green onions,
And reunion.
Hello everyone, my name’s Damon. I was born in a small city in the southern part of China next to Shanghai. I will describe myself as an Asian, Chinese, first-generation student, and also a temporary immigrant in Canada. I’m interested in Hispanic culture, and the Latin America world. Currently, I’m studying Spanish 301 at UBC. I would like to see their cultures from a different perspective. I’m excited about my new semester because I’m a student in the major of environment and sustainability, also the courses are quite challenging.
I really enjoyed your poem, Damon. I appreciate how water imagery flows through the first stanza — the delta, the river, the tea set. It communicates how dependent our bodies are on the land for sustenance and hydration, as well as how our traditions spring from the land. I also loved the icicle in the first verse of your second stanza. Beyond a continuation of that water imagery, it was so striking. I found it fitting that there is no enjambment in that line. Lastly, the personification of the ‘nostalgic dumplings’ in the final stanza was touching after reading about your family and foodways. I hope you have found some tasty dumpling in Vancouver to remind you of home.
So glad to have you in the course, and equally delighted that you’re taking Spanish classes! Maybe I’ll have you in SPAN365 next term 🙂
Damon you wrote an amazing poem. I loved how you started by describing the land you come from, the beautiful landscape, to then pass to your family, and the food, which I suppose you cook together. The last part, connecting food with nostalgia but also reunion really stroke me, I felt like it is the same for me. Beautifully written poem, it transmits the sentiments and images of your homeland.
Hi Damon,
Thanks for sharing your wonderful poem and a glimpse into your background. Your words beautifully capture your Chinese heritage and the journey that brought you to Canada. It’s great to hear about your interest in Hispanic culture and your Spanish studies. Embracing different cultures and languages is an enriching experience. Best of luck with your major in environment and sustainability