by Piano Kaewchaiyo (8th)

Opening the book...

Its words once blurry
Now swirl like galaxies
Seven years ago, I knew a little home—
A tropical place called Thailand.
Something was missing.
So, I moved.
America: a world of opportunity.

Little me became a lady
Flourishing like a flower
Reaching for stars, dreaming of more.

Leaving Thailand was thrilling—
And terrifying.
My hand waved goodbye
Tears slipped down
The world shrank beneath the plane.

Teal walls, a warm bed
A joyful spirit welcomed me in.
This foreign land
Didn’t feel so far anymore.

The bus stop, the awkward steps,
The English that tangled my ears—
No papaya, no mango,
Only burgers and slang.
I missed Thai flavors
But craved belonging more.

Ashamed of my name,
I hid behind a mask.
But school brought music and laughter—
Maybe I could fit in.

Fourth grade taught math and braids
Planets and dreams.
Middle school arrived.
Band, chorus, new friends—
Still waiting for a spark.

Tests, flashcards, highlight pens
Stress bloomed like weeds.
Was this all life was?
I hoped not.

My childhood faded—
Barbie dolls, finger painting,
Trips to Mars packed away.
Candles flickered.
Dreams felt far.

Summer trips, aquarium lights
Avocado rolls, cousin hugs—
Still, my heart felt heavy,
Stars blurred,
Cars blinded,
Loneliness stayed.

Books piled up, bees buzzed,
Gold sunglasses, new hope.
But eighth grade hit hard.
Tennis balls, test scores,
Even my friends made me question.

I painted my nails, curled my hair,
But asked—can a moth be beautiful too?
At fourteen, I wasn’t ready to soar.

Then I found a note,
Crumpled, but free.
A story of a boat—
And a girl who dared to sail.

Stage lights on my final concert,
Moonlight on melodies,
The road to high school opened.

But I felt pushed aside,
Dozens of tests, gray beats,
Red pens and picture frames
Held my pain.

Still, curry steamed,
Sakura bloomed,
Racket in hand—
No more fear.

Mom cried. Dad sighed.
Grandma’s breath shallow.
I asked—am I strong enough?

I look past, present, and forward.
I’ve stumbled.
But still, I move.

Blink. I’m in Thailand.
Blink again. I’m home.
Where is home, anyway?

The airport rushes by.
But this time, I’m ready.

Albums and snapshots
Some warm, some forgotten.
I’ll plant flowers in the cold.

High school looms.
Tears fall—
But I know I’ll be okay.

Popcorn, puddles, and Thai traditions
Mix with sundaes and snow.
Lost friends, new ones.
Missed sparks, brighter ones born.

I didn’t want to grow—
But I’ve come so far.

In my name—Poonyapa,
“P” stands for persevering.
Eyes wide open.
Each step a puzzle piece.

Minute by minute
Hour by hour
Day by day—
I strive.

As seasons change,
So do we.

The most important thing?
Finding your true self.
Love, hope, and memories.

Closing the book

Its words now clear:
We begin as we end.
We end as we begin.