My friend had an epiphany one day:
"For a moment there, I totally forgot you were Asian!"
"No, I mean you DO look like one, but you don't act... you know what, never mind"
"God, I NEED Asian friends!"
"You? Nah, it's not the same..."
I'd like to say that the only reason why we stuck by one another
Was because we were our chosen brother and sister
He and I reside under the same umbrella
And even though it IS a new era
We still walk under it together, but there is a dilemma
We must protect each other from the rain of stigma
Although it is well concealed,
And the raindrops didn't seem harmless
Piercing through our colourful shield,
Some acid droplets affected us
The ones from the tears our mothers let out
Upon knowing their child is taking a different route
I know my friend didn't mean to discriminate
But I can't help but open a small yellow parasol to separate
The bond we have underneath the rainbow umbrella didn't stop racism
As I protect myself from his remarks on my "Americanized" mannerism
But also, to remind him of the colour of my skin and the heritage attached to it
Not the cutesy, reserved, and feminine Asian stereotypes attributed.
He and I stayed friends,
Not only because we were both gay
But also, because he respected my concerns in the end
And thus, I put my little yellow parasol away.
