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Did you know hunger in your past?
       When we had nothing else 
just after the war, we could find rice grains 
or potatoes in a field after the farmers were done 
with harvest. At night, the furrows filled 
with frogs' voices. They called and we answered;  
we went toward them in moonlight 
with our shirt hems stretched open.

Did you go to school?
       Grandfather hired a man to work for him
on his garden. He was asked to carry me on his back 
and wade across the river to the schoolhouse. 
I wrapped my arms around his neck; his arms 
held the backs of my calves. Once, not wanting 
to leave, I threw myself on the floor
and wailed. He picked me up and started to walk. 
Oily water thrashed around his ankles. I bit 
the top of his ear. He never let go. 

When did your fortune change? 
       The neighbor's daughter used to be 
a teller at the bank. Now she is a general's wife 
and is learning ballroom dancing. The man 
who owned a dry goods store sold his business
after his only son drowned on a holiday
by the sea. It seems just yesterday I sat
on a platform, fists balled, feet 
barely touching the floor, 
as the auctioneer took bids.