Go Home

June 8, 2019

Sometimes I forget to scrub away my guilt

For not looking back at my flag and waving in return.

Mama says go home and eat;

Talk and sleep and dance on the crossroad.

I need to go home and remember who I am

As I stroll along the sun-colored street.

The people here say “leave and stay gone”

But all I do is smile and hang on

To a history that’s not mine.

The two black arrows have come to point

The two green arrows stand by their side

And I am held down by golden chains.

They want me to come home.

They want me to watch the hummingbirds

And taste the sweet colors of my culture.

Yet again, I escape the people,

Running like their champion,

But I forget to scrub away the guilt

Of knowing who I am.

I look in the mirror to see the green and black

And burning bright yellow

Scorched on my face.

I forgot to scrub away their touch

I’ve been branded, I was born stained.

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