As a foreigner, non-indigenous people
saw me as a threat, a small child, skinny and slight
ask me how I know this to be true, the question
from these fearful folks, where do you come from, steeple
of a church points up to the heavens, to the stars
really indignant, I should have been, I was bright
even precocious but not perceptive, sessions
in perseverance, in overcoming the shame
given as different, as if I had come from Mars
not from India, in the Northern Hemisphere
east of Istanbul, therefore exotic, a threat
reality set in fast, when I learned their fear
nitwits in class said, not President, a safe bet
of course, I wanted nothing to do with their game
no, I had no choice, I was stuck, an immigrant
if life were perfect, I'd spell my way to Bombay
nothing here worthwhile, born in the USA, nope
despite jingoist lyrics, worthless sycophants
indeed followers, inconsiderate rabble
gave me a reason not to be like them, to say
even in the worst country, I'd uncover hope
not out of darkness, nor within light, but the clear
objects of the mind, hidden from psychobabble
until therapy loses value, learn to speak
speak truth to power, disarm the native speakers
pretend I don't know what they fear, for they are weak
egregious, stupid, sorry, the truth hurts, wreakers
of havoc and lies, as leaders whom they revere
pernicious liars speak their minds without a clue
leading followers in hopeless rallies, steeple
erect points on high, I'm here waiting for my due
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