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

Left behind

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.

I'm not in it for the show or attention.

Others may claim who they are

Out of convenience and popularity,

But I've been claiming since I was a baby.

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

I may not be enough to be a part of this 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 you claim wholeheartedly.

No one seems to wave back.

But I am here to stay and learn.

Both worlds, I will claim.

I will not ask for acceptance.

It is already mine.