i stand in the center of myeongdong
light, bright
neons with flashing
chatter
korean faces surround me
occasional others
singular and different
i stand out
but i fear not.

i have a tea in my hand
egg bun in the other
feeling like i'm in a movie
and i am surrounded by people
who i've just met
and yet, who i know i will love.

and as the lights flicker
around and above me
i look at my hand,
empty now without the egg bun
(clearly it's been shoved in my mouth)
and i realize there is still marker
from work, dots and lines
of black and red
from teaching children

and happiness floods
my small world.
i don't know who i am
but i like it.