Today You Lucky to Be Alive by Julia Ongking (Philippines)

           Maybe you not yet
     Have eaten. Wake up, wake up,
     Today you lucky to be alive. No,
you much different than me. 
But you once inside me too,
eat my food, drink my blood.

          You know then I no know
what I do with you, evil 
sinner in mommy belly. I don’t know 
what choose, start thinking dead, dead, 
dead until hear your heart boom boom
boom. Then finally I know. ​

---

You is 
​mine. You is mine. I watch you 
taitai blood fly on floor, my papa 
hand so big, fat, loud, say no daughter,
no daughter. Only son. So I say no, 
my xiao nu er mine, my xiao nu er 
belong to me. 

           What you want for lunch? I hope
you still know how to cook mama jiaozi. 
Must put extra meat You been small child 
ever since you born I pray for you 
Always ask Jesus protect my xiao nu er.

           I sorry I not good mother cannot 
speak English like you and you friend. I 
know you think I no love you, no try to 
help you when you crying. But always 
I hear. I tell you I also experience 
pain so so hard that sometimes I want 
die You will never understand. 

           Do you remember how make mama
ginseng tang? Take a picture of boiling soup 
and send me or I go again to cook for you. 
Go H-Mart Newberry Avenue. Best
chicken delivery all Tuesday morning.

            I give my entire life to you. I know
now you happier without your mama not
embarrass you at school work or 
in front Not-Chinese boyfriend. But I 
ask one only one thing so remember
I love you my xiao nu er Please 
never skip your meals. 



taitai: Aunt
xiao nu er: Affectionate term for daughter: directly translates to “small daughter”
jiaozi: Dumplings
Go H-Mart: Popular Asian food store in America​