The jump-off line is just the title of the poem Why I’m Here by Jacqueline Berger. And the whole piece is just a response to the line.
Because of the year 1997, when Hong Kong passed back into the hands of China. A mother decided to take her daughter away before that happened.
Because my aunt’s family had settled here.
Because I had sunk down my roots here. I could have chosen to go interstate: most of the jobs in my field actually called me to go interstate but I had made up my mind to stay.
Because an introvert could still find a graduate job for an introvert despite what she believed after failing so many interviews and half-decided to do a Masters if she could not find a job.
Because a line moved her when she attended Laurie Wagner’s session during a writing summit. We already love you. What an incredibly generous and empowering thing to say to others.
Because I didn’t want to do housework but also because habit is comfort. I didn’t- don’t- believe in getting out of the comfort zone.
Because I have been swept along but also because I have chosen in all the ways I have chosen.
Because time passes either way.
Because my core remains the same from teenagehood to approaching 40s.
Because I inherited my core from Mum but we are still different.
Because I’m looking for the good fits and want nothing less.
Moonlake's Fiction Space 