At the airport
I am an American
Smiling (but not too much)
Polite and prepared:
My passport and boarding pass ready
My shoes slip easily on and off
I have no loose change in my pocket
I have one appropriately sized carry-on
and a smaller bag (as allowed)

On the plane I am Asian
I store my bag overhead
And get up when the
European couple who look like
they stepped out of a Dolce & Gabbana ad
try to get to the middle and window seats
The tired, smiling flight attendant looks relieved to see me
and calls me xiăo jiĕ
when offering me my in-flight meal

At the airport
I am an American
Surrounded by people coming home
Customs glances at my blue passport
And asks if I am a student
I can't find my ride
and my cellphone doesn't work here
I try to use the airport wireless
I am an American.