Revisiting my thoughts: Poem from within [Vol 4] *RE-EDITS IN PROGRESS*

Left behind & moving forward

Honest confession:
I wish I could say English wasn't my first language.

Another thing:
I wish I knew the culture & heritage better.
Like, how dare I not and still rep what I got?

Wanna hear more?
I wish I could bring on the persona
Of one who knows their parent's motherland
And stick to it, unabashedly.

I wish I could confidently burst into another tongue
Without the care of anyone nearby who can translate
And be quick to judge my delivery.

I wish the little I knew was enough.

I wish my identity was accepted respectively,
And not challenged by where I was born.

I claim what I know and respect both worlds,

But I feel like one claims me more than the other.

I open my mouth once

And they've already placed me on the other side.

I think I got a plan:
Perhaps I should just accept my place.
Perhaps I should just embrace my place.

I claim who I am

Whether others oppose or not.

Wanna know what else?
I am me and this is me.

I may not be enough to be a part of that other world,

According to you,

But you're not in charge.

Nor have the right to declare anything for me.

I've always felt different waving to

That side I am tethered to wholeheartedly.

No one seems to wave back.

But I am here to stay and to learn.

Both worlds, I will claim.

I will not ask for acceptance.

It is already mine.