엄마! 나 집에 왔어!

I recall my mother’s embrace after I came back from college

her warmth, her smile, her gentle love

I recall my father’s kisses on my cheeks

his affection, his excitement, his comforting smell

I used to hate how boisterous my family talks,

but here I am missing our gentle clamor

I crave these moments once more

Although we had our fair share of turmoil

screaming at each other

slamming doors 

and sighing in frustration

아이고…

At the end of the day, we come back to one another

and say our awkward i love yous for the night

My definition of familial love has changed over the years,

and college had the biggest impact so far–

I constantly miss the aromatic Korean food my mother makes

채영아! 밥 먹자! 너 좋안 수제비 만들었어!

The kdramas my sister and I would binge

Why would she pick him and not the other guy? Men aren’t shit.

The rhythmic snores of my father 

Ahhhh shooo…ahhhh shooo…

The nostalgia from my childhood

Brings a smile to my face

The rare embraces now feel priceless,

Now I long for my next break