I'm Going to Open an Umbrella in My Pants

A Found Poem (from the book The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford)

I'm Going to Open an Umbrella in My Pants

Didn't understand the words

Because I am Chinese

Trying to speak English. 

Quoted some profound Western philosophy

But I didn't understand the words. 

Breakfast of sticky rice, pork, and mushrooms. 

Chinese vs. English.

Jou San. 

Stern look on Father's face. 

Good morning. 

Approval. 

All because of scholarshipping. 

So I'm going to open an umbrella in my pants. 

But my mother knew

Even if she didn't understand the words.