FRANKENSTEIN
the Immigrant
I had an epiphany as I watched Del Toro's remake of Frankenstein
FRANKENSTEIN the immigrant
11-9-2025
I am myth
and memory
Pieces...
of one,
parts of many,
pieces of none.
I am gathered fragments
from lands wide and near..
from a different father
A new name born.
The place of my birth could not provide..
Even that has been denied..
and the land though welcoming..
It's occupants do not with open arms engage..
but mouths in vile protest
with hateful noise
mark the dirt..
with spitted gravel..
The parts of you most despised,
you assign to me,
the immigrant,
..the monster.
You imbue your hate,
your bigotry,
your lack of humanity..
is etched in the color of my skin.
My children..
..are a curse you wish rid of.
I am Frankenstein,
unknown,
feared in the lack of the unfamiliar.
An immigrant..
and a monster in your eyes.
Everything you hate about yourself..
you tattoo on this monster of your imagination,
this immigrant..
Pieces brought together
from different lands
but one commonality..
We are human.
and have a soul.
About the Creator
Victor Mendez
Born in 1958.There's a lot of road beneath these feet.Worn out pairs upon pairs of shoes.Been a ranch kid,a city kid,a Marine,a dad, a grandfather now,an avid reader and just recently began writing poetry in 2015 just to vent.
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Comments (10)
The final lines are especially moving they reclaim dignity and remind us that behind every label or projection is a whole soul.
P.S. Read your bio. Thank you for your service and "just to vent" serves us readers well.
I have not seen the movie yet just the trailer. I can't wait after reading your emotional comparison between Frankenstein's evolution within and immigrants of all kinds world wide. I am an immigrant to Sweden and am welcomed but I know my friends in the USA are being treated like monsters. The real monster is hate and power in the hands of cowards. Congratulations on such an amazing Top Story!
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
This is awesome. I love the perspective of this especially in the lines, "I am Frankenstein, / unknown, / feared in the lack of the unfamiliar." Really great poem, congrats on top story!
I believe this is very much the underlying note in Mary Shelly Frankenstein And Guillermo’s version highlights this.
This is fantastic, my friend.
Beautifully written and we need this message out to the racists pricks that hate people for their culture, skin color, excellent work
wow, i will watch guillermo's masterful interpretation with new eyes. thank you for this beautiful and poetic analysis.
Yes we are all human. I wish some people can understand that. Loved your poem!