I’m back, I thought, as I stepped off the plane,
returned to my ancestral home once more,
recalling all my blood bound by these shores
this birthing country of my father’s name.
The last time I came here there was a sign,
a banner high above the streets of Seoul,
harsh words against Japan in any role,
decrying all they’d done down to that time.
My forebears feel this anger more than I,
raised unaware of all this enmity,
I hoped there’d be much less of this to see,
so strong it’s carried up until my time.
I love this land and wish this hate would cease,
pray my paternal family finds its peace.
Lanning Lee 