Words of Remembrance
Maxime S.
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Words of Remembrance is inspired by recent life events of my two grandfathers’ passing. One is from China, on my mother’s side, and the other is from France, on my father’s side. Losing both grandfathers over the summer has brought immense grief to my family and I, especially since I lived with both early in my childhood. Their unique cultural lineages from France and China have been passed down to me, continuing their traditions. The poem connects Lao Ye and Grandpère with geographic symbols, such as the Li River and Pastilles de Vichy. I bridge these two separate cultures, combining my grandfathers’ legacies to reshape my American identity that hosts both heritages. Elements of each culture, particularly language, are incorporated into the poem to personalize the feeling of loss and deepen connections to culture.
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Creativity is how I translate emotion into language. I can braid languages, cultures, and feelings into something whole. Through poetry, I explore identity, memory, and culture, honoring the lives that shaped me, while discovering new ways to understand who I am.
