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Hello World: Where Did You Go?
By Michelle Myers

Hello World, ya know who I am

I'm just an angry Asian girl whose soul is on the mend

calling out to you with no intent to offend

But can't help asking: a foe or a friend?

Hoping in the process never to be lost again.

 

As I descend into the depths to embrace the fight

ascend through space to be bathed in moonlight

I know all's right when I can finally say,

"This is the first day of my life."

 

And I feel almost home in this moment 

so I closely hold it ‘til it pulls me into focus

then I fold it into my spirit to forever be near it,

hear it again when life's at its worst

and it hurts and I wonder what the trouble's really worth.

 

I'll just listen to the earth and ponder this verse

know my self-worth is a never-ending search

for a discovery of the deepest parts of me.

 

Then maybe I’ll catch your hand tryna hitch a ride 

as I drive on by to leave their lies behind 

yelling all the time:

"Ya musta thought I was blind 

but nice try to heist our nice life, 

Christ, why would we be enticed by your hollow white lies

when we can fly right on by, right on by?"

 

And we're on our way through the world again

sending out this message 'bout where we been:

 

We're on our way home 

certain now—

 

we'll never be lost again

never be lost again

never be lost again

These poems are currently part of a presentation that Michelle gave for a TEDx Talk titled “Let Hearts Love. Let Hearts Live.”  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Md6JhiK1FcM

About the Author

Michelle Myers is an award-winning poet and educator. Appearing on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam as a founding member of Yellow Rage, Michelle harnesses her experiences as a biracial Korean American woman to create work that raises awareness and builds community. Her writing has been published in Apiary, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Title Magazine, Brevity, and USA Today. Her work also has received recognition from the Leeway Foundation, Loft Literary Center, Asian Arts Initiative, and Dodge Poetry Program. Michelle’s CCPTV show Drop the Mic has been nominated for six Emmys. In 2022, Michelle’s poetry was featured in the NY Times bestseller Rise: A Pop History of Asian America from the Nineties to Now as well as in the print and audiobook versions of My Life: Growing Up Asian in America. Michelle’s TEDx Talk for TEDxJeffersonU “Let Hearts Love. Let Hearts Live” debuted on the TEDx YouTube Channel in December 2023. Finally, Michelle hosts a podcast called Mind Your Margins, which is produced by her daughter, Myong.

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