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Crossing Borders by Katherine Dai

Updated: Jun 17

Dear papa

How did you know that you loved mama?

You had just turned thirty

Were you afraid that day?

When you figured out

Her aunties and uncles would look at you;

and judge your every move

When the tea was poured into your cup

Dear mama

How did you know that you loved papa?

You were told to find a lover

Because you were getting older

But I know you were not ready

It was like a rice cooker

The pressure and heat;

was needed to prepare the meal

Dear papa

You said you did not care

If he was one of us

As long as he respected

That I would wear red

On days of happiness

And wear white

On days of sadness

Dear mama

You said that if I would find a lover

He would have to be caring and gentle

You said that he would have to be these

Even if I have not chosen him yet

You said that he should buy me things

Even if I did not ask for them

So here I shall say

Dear mama

He wanted to buy me flowers

But I shut him down

I feel sad, I am nervous

I don’t know if you will like him

He is not like us


And you never liked guys

who are not like us

Dear papa

Will I be a bad daughter

If he loves me; If I choose him

Will I have to say no

If it means having your approval

And losing someone

Who just saw me for me

And not for the name I carry



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