At The Hmong New Year... Poem by Kong Vang

At the Hmong New Year...
Thousand of hands toss balls...
Thousand of comrades hold hands...

Looking, I remember them...
When still young...
Holding, random old ladies' hand...
Weeping for gifts from their mom...
Wanting a hand full of candy...

Today everyone is older...
They all want love...
They all go to their lover...
Foolish kissing, Foolish laughter...

Someday, they will hate this place...
They will wish to be far far away from here...
They are my comrades...
They are actually me...
Looking at a mirror of myself at the New Year...