What are the themes explored in the poem and how can we relate that to a global issue?
The author employs food significant to his culture to demonstrate innocence and nostalgia as he reminisces his past. He explores themes of individual identity as well as cultural identity, utilising the green rice as a ‘mirror’ into the past in order to present his memories as well as the importance of childhood. Through his longing to go back to the past, the readers are able to interpret how important his childhood was, and how he feels as though it went by in an instant. The themes of innocence are brought in as the poet specifically mentions the word innocence, and explains how he feels as though he has lost this innocence and wishes he could get it back.
An example of a global issue could be the topic of culture, language and identity. As people mature and transition into their new identities, they leave their home and their past for new cities and to look for a better future. This situation risks people losing their culture, and longing for their childhood as they recognise how they have changed and lost parts of their innocence as well as parts of their identity through growing up.