
Sometimes when I walk into a room
I search for another Asian face
the contours of our eyes-
monolid and hooded
the object of taunts
smooth slanted eyes
don’t smile too wide
disappearing lines.
Lids pulled back
my cheeks burn hot
I want to fade away.
How was school today
my mother asks
every
day
Does she notice that I hide behind
my small brown eyes
inside the silent spaces
of my body’s burden?
Sometimes when I walk into a room
I search for another Asian face-
and when I find her,
I see myself
and I feel less alone.