--

I am a Korean because I recall hearing nursery rhymes in Korean tongue.
I am an American because I recall dreaming in English tongue.
I am a person in-transit, neither Korean nor American.
I know better than to believe in a steady identity.

But I exist, as a hyphen between Korean and American,
an insignificant mark that takes least of an effort to inscribe.
I am always at a pre-caution, stuck between constant duels that try to take over my identity.
I am a war victim, a best witness to tell the tales of cultural confliction.

But I am at ease being that war victim
because I have the courage to face complexity, difference, and absolute loss.
I am satisfied being that insignificant mark
because I have ability to connect end of a one culture to a beginning of next.
I am simply happy being that hyphen
because I hold the power to join two cultures together to create something brand new.