Most of the time, people associate routines with their daily or weekly schedules. This week, Melanie Hyo-In Han shares a different perspective on routines using poetry. As a TCK, can you relate to the last routine before graduation?
"Routine"
by Melanie Hyo-In Han
Departure: Nairobi, Kenya
Arrival: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Flight Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Number of Times on (NBO-DAR) Flight: 24
Number of Years: 8 (2004-2012)
Age of First (NBO-DAR) Flight: 9
Age of Last (NBO-DAR) Flight: 17
Occasion: Returning home from boarding school
for the last time
Reason: High school graduation
Immigration: Quick and easy stamp in the passport
Luggage Carousel: 2 suitcases
Sight: My Korean parents
standing out amongst the local Tanzanian crowd
Sound: People yelling haraka, haraka to speed things up
Smell: Burning of plastic and old tires
Touch: The usual, sticky heat of 32°C smothering me
Taste: Salty tears that I swallow,
knowing this is the end of my triannual, 8-year routine
Born in Korea and raised in East Africa, Melanie Hyo-In Han recently moved from the U.S. to the U.K. She is the author of Abecedarian: Banff, Canada (Kith Books), My Dear Yeast (Milk & Cake Press), and Sandpaper Tongue, Parchment Lips (Finishing Line Press).
You read more about Melanie at her website or by following her on Instagram.
