Ambiguity

Where are you FROM?

No, where are your parents FROM?

Have you been there?

No, I answer.

I’m brown

I’m different

I’m “exotic”

and that is all they can encompass

Who am I?

My parents raised my in the Land of the Free

Pushed towards the “American Dream” until I stumbled forward

Weighed my back down with bootstraps

and told me I need to stand on my own

I can barely stand,

I shake up towards mobility

I hit an invisible ceiling

I see white men move past it like a ghost

You can stand there and look pretty

like an exotic mannequin

You should have kids with a white guy

your mixed babies would be so cute

You’re pretty for an Asian girl

You must be good at Math

Created in the minds of others

before I can even speak