Alone, a poem

Discover me

like Columbus

discovered America

 

Disregard and overlook

my brand new citizenship card,

esl abilities, my bridging

capabilities. There still are

some Indians (and many

Pakistanis) in me– spoiling

for education, assimilation,

in short, civilization.

 

Discover me

like Columbus

discovered America

 

Ignore or obliterate

my multicultured clothes,

urban unriches, my

discomforting art. There still is

a writer (even when

brown) in me– needing

cliches, creative writing courses,

in short, author-ization.

 

Discover me

like Columbus

discovered America

 

Exorcise and enslave

my mind, that independent

wave dashing beyond your glitter, an

uncontrolled tongue. There still is

a rebel (even if

feminine) in me– requiring

guidance, tall historic lies,

in short, indoctrination.

 

Discover me

like Columbus

discovered America

..

Issue 7 Winter 2017-3