Johanna Stein, A Stranger in America

IcyHot glides across an abuse-induced bruise
Ice skates take the place of my shoes
The M of McDonald's blinks its eye
As the Germany flag waves in the sky
I hold my cross necklace and drink my snapple
Then I take a bite from an apple
I came to skate so I didn't have to apply
For a Chickie & Pete's job - oh my
A Chickie & Pete's job! I'd be moving from Germany!
My home country, where I had friends who cared about me
Boxes and boxes full of Reese's Puffs
Are being unloaded from shipping containers sent by the states
The old man soon finished with two loud huffs
And his granddaughter went over and handed him skates
On the TVs inside the skating rink lobby,
I saw celebrities, animal documentaries, video games, someone taking on a new hobby
A robot emoji and a Kahoot! Game suddenly appeared on a screen
Lighting it up like a Christmas tree
I wish I could join, oh to join would be great!
But my father soon appeared at the gate.
I was ushered home, grounded for til college,
Then homeschooled so no one could give me false knowledge
I wanted to fight,
To run away that night,
But I immediately found myself on the next American flight