Tu
My Aunt in California, she called to tell me good morning.
Her name is Tu, it's true and she's a gem of an Auntie too.
From Vietnam she came, in the year past my mother's flame.
With her eyes she looked at me, in her smile, my mother I see.
Her voice a reminder to me, that my family is near.
Dear to my heart while far apart, her words wash away my fear.
A charm of broken accent, her words are heaven sent.
"You smaaa and much to gib, big heaaar and li to lib"
You're smart she says, with much to give, a big heart you have.
There's life to live! A charm of broken accent, her words so pure
when sent.
Deciphering is what I did, through my life the words they gave.
Through the times of love and pain, charm of the broken...
whisper my name.
"I go to America schoo, wor tree job to do"
"I come here at forty fi, go to schoo when I forty.Ni"
"I cry, becau no one know my nam"
I love my Auntie True. Her name my friend, is Tu.
She came at 45, went to med school at 49,
learning English at the same time.
Now as I sit in rhyme...
I find courage in broken chimes.
|