Family Reunion

Every couple of years there was some birthday or wedding or funeral to attend.

Putting on our Sunday's best we drove for what felt like hours

Until we arrived at some cousins' house where hours would be spent.

We'd find parking at the tail end of the street, fashionably late.

Faces who knew me as a little one, but I don't know them.

It feels like it's the first time we meet.

Then us kids are ushered outside to play.

The adults talk about memories long ago

And brag about their kids' latest A's.

Everyone played and chattered on

Until it was time to come together again to eat

It was always a feast–no one leaves until all the food is gone.

Nostalgic recipes I'd try to replicate as a teen–

Pancit, lumpia, adobo, leche flan

To preserve my connection to the culture, to the recipes I tightly cling.