You came from Korea to start a farm
not to do any harm
just to build your barn
under Arkansas stars.
But you underestimated the pressure
of being considered lesser
in the land of western
hopeful investors.
All of the stress
to be the best
made you less
in this game of chess.
When the rain grows
one must lay low
by a tornado's say so
which is a brain blow.
Missing the old ways
your mother comes to stay
but you hope she doesn't sway
your children today.
Mother planted minari
where once there was none
it may not be a Ferrari
but it grows in the sun.
The innocuous plant isn't appreciated
when financial burdens aren't alleviated
the American Dream is steely gated
despite what it's really rated.
Mother had a stroke
the others couldn't cope
as lost lovers said nope
to their one true hope.
Surrounded by Christians
you concede your intuition
for American superstition
promising a healing prescription.
After the hard turn
of having your heart spurned
you watched your barn burn
like a form of heartworm.
You look at your wife
and she looks back
you see in your life
it's she you lack.
Now you understand what's important
and it's not business
you used to want to be a foreman
now just a witness.
Based on / inspired by the Oscar nominated film Minari