That’s the price we pay for being here

8 years old.

Lunchtime.

“Ewwwwwww that’s not a real lunch”

“Who eats beans for dessert, that’s gross”

That’s the price we pay for being here.

***

23 years old.

Academic Poster Conference, at my poster.

“Okay, but where are you really from?”

“But what is your real name? Not your English name?”

That’s the price we pay for being here.

***

The price I paid

as a model minority

does not compare

to the prices paid

by Black and Indigenous people.

***

Let me ask you:

Did you have to pay a price

for being here?

***

Author's note: Red beans (or Azumi beans) are actually used in desserts rather than savory dishes, which beans are usually associated with. It's really good! The sugar content in the red beans make it a nice ingredient to add subtlety to a dessert without having it be too, too sweet. It's one of my all-time favourite toppings in bubble tea other than the classic tapioca.

***

Lucy (@ramyeonjpg) is a budding poet who jots down all the wildest pieces of her life into poetry form. By day, she's a graduate student. By night, she crochets an unreasonable number of scrunchies to de-stress. As someone who never runs out of ideas, she aids other writers who run into writer's block with weekly poetry (or writing!) prompts. Feel free to join in here!

This poem was first published here.