Wu Bak –– 2020
we are born
to serve––
to do what we
must
to honor the role
we were given
for this lifetime
you were born
Chinese––
a son––
you lead
you decided
because the tradition
said
you must
your laughing heart was
soft & gentle––
your hands were
quick & nimble
you made a Chinese
life––
took a Chinese wife––
reared a Chinese family
one day
you became an American
you earned your way
from dust to
happiness––
you were so
proud
you became a Chinese
patriarch
at the center of
your own world––
generations
of smiling children
are yours
& every one of them
has your smile
& your laughter
straight from the heart