s
h
p
a
r
Photog
Written by Soomin Cho
Illustrated by Seoyoung Ko
Photographs
Of a chubby, stubborn newborn
With chubby lips that only knew how to cry
Of a skinner yet more stubborn infant toddler
Toddling into the world with
High buttons, high steps, high walls
And high everything that will only become higher
Of a preschooler waving her first goodbye to her mom
Of a 9 year old taking her first steps in a new country
A new school, a new culture, a new life
Tripping over her first of many difficulties with her short English
Of a 12 year old skipping with excitement on the way to school
Smiling at passers-by
Feeling fresh for no reason
Believing that this freshness would last forever
Of a 13 year old back at her home country
Who starts to lose reasons to feel fresh
Reasons to skip to anywhere
Reasons to smile at passers-by
Reasons to smile at herself
Of a 15 year old taking her first cautious steps into adolescence
Who doesn’t like her photographs being taken
Of an 18 year old getting ready to wave her first goodbye to innocence
Looking back at her eventful first chapter of life with a knowing smile
Aware of the fact that it will be the least eventful of the many to come
Wishing with vain that time would stop
And yet combing her hair and posing in front of the camera
For another photograph
20