Americano

When you walk past me, what do you see?

You see me carrying my books, as I walk toward a school.

And yet you still don’t see me.

18 years and still I mean nothing to you.

Why do you move to the other side of the street?

I hear what you’re saying, I understand.

I don’t only speak English,

Hablo Espanol tambien y que?

Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses.

Was that all a lie?

We’re tired.

We’re poor

We come in masses

But that door has long been closed.

My father’s father gave up his sons and daughters.

They didn’t cross any fences, they were already here.

So when you see me, what do you see?

What do you see, when you look at yourself?

You don’t have an “S” on your chest.

As you drape yourself in the Stars and Stripes,

You’re just another George W but with better hair.

And yet you want us to bleed for you.

And yet you want us to die for you.

I’m tired of seeing us dying.

You took a young girl’s father away.

Maybe Allen was right, fuck you.  

We’ve become a nation of selfies and

Feelings of 140 characters or less.

Stop pretending you know me.

Stop pretending you care.

Come on, let me hear you confess.

When you see me, you see yourself.

And you hate me.