This is a story/poem (I am not sure what to call it yet) that I have been working on for the past 8 months, it is not quite finished but I want to share what I have so far because it talks about my life and the struggles we face as immigrants. I still don't have a title for it so if you have any suggestions let me know. Thanks for reading and supporting the cause...
One day my mom said “No more”
She finally got tired of being ignored
All she wanted was to pack a few things
And we started our journey to the land of the free
All of a sudden I saw from afar
The land of opportunity, where we would have our new start
This new life seemed like a dream
And against my will I slowly gave in
Growing up I was told education was the way
My one and only chance to make amends
Talking to my parents it was agreed
I would finish high school within three years
My counselor said this was impossible, it couldn't be done
“You’re a Hispanic this has never happened before…”
What gave me away, how did you know?
Since when being Hispanic became a curse!
Was it my last name or
The birth mark in my face?
Whatever it was they had made up their mind
To stop me at all costs without being kind
With a lot of anger and a lot of spite
I decided to put up a fight
With a lot of struggles and against all odds
I made my way through the crowds
There I was shaking hands, a few more steps
One day my mom said “No more”
She finally got tired of being ignored
All she wanted was to pack a few things
And we started our journey to the land of the free
All of a sudden I saw from afar
The land of opportunity, where we would have our new start
This new life seemed like a dream
And against my will I slowly gave in
Growing up I was told education was the way
My one and only chance to make amends
Talking to my parents it was agreed
I would finish high school within three years
My counselor said this was impossible, it couldn't be done
“You’re a Hispanic this has never happened before…”
What gave me away, how did you know?
Since when being Hispanic became a curse!
Was it my last name or
The birth mark in my face?
Whatever it was they had made up their mind
To stop me at all costs without being kind
With a lot of anger and a lot of spite
I decided to put up a fight
With a lot of struggles and against all odds
I made my way through the crowds
There I was shaking hands, a few more steps
And in my hands I held up my diploma with a proud stare
I made it! I went all the way!
Yet in the middle of my happiness
A new giant I had to face
In the blink of an eye everything changed
I even lost ownership of my own name
A new identity was given to me
An “alien” is what they made of me
Who came up with these terms I would like to know?
How dare they say I’m from another world!
No human being is illegal
Under God’s eyes we are all equal
Why does it matter where I am from?
Why so much hatred towards my own?
If only you knew, if only you dared
To take a quick glimpse of all my cares
My life would be easier if only you would
Just give me the opportunity to work as I should
“Be all you can be…” is what I hear
But without any papers “la migra” I fear
Not a day goes by when I am not reminded
That people like me is who they are after
I got trapped in a golden cage
Where all my dreams reside today
How long must I live like this?
How much more can I go through?
Since I came, until now
15 years have past me by
All these years of struggle and strife
An identity crisis is where I am at
I feel so frustrated, my entire being is incarcerated
How much longer is this going to take?
My American dream is fading away!
With much disillusion
You want to know the conclusion?
I am between a rock and a hard place
3 degrees and still no grace
Are you ready to hear this?
Are you prepared for what’s about to come?
You better pay attention, you better listen up
What I am about to tell will shock you even more
Even though I struggle to just stay afloat
I will keep on going without giving up
The more barriers that are put up the harder I’ll shout,
I made it! I went all the way!
Yet in the middle of my happiness
A new giant I had to face
In the blink of an eye everything changed
I even lost ownership of my own name
A new identity was given to me
An “alien” is what they made of me
Who came up with these terms I would like to know?
How dare they say I’m from another world!
No human being is illegal
Under God’s eyes we are all equal
Why does it matter where I am from?
Why so much hatred towards my own?
If only you knew, if only you dared
To take a quick glimpse of all my cares
My life would be easier if only you would
Just give me the opportunity to work as I should
“Be all you can be…” is what I hear
But without any papers “la migra” I fear
Not a day goes by when I am not reminded
That people like me is who they are after
I got trapped in a golden cage
Where all my dreams reside today
How long must I live like this?
How much more can I go through?
Since I came, until now
15 years have past me by
All these years of struggle and strife
An identity crisis is where I am at
I feel so frustrated, my entire being is incarcerated
How much longer is this going to take?
My American dream is fading away!
With much disillusion
You want to know the conclusion?
I am between a rock and a hard place
3 degrees and still no grace
Are you ready to hear this?
Are you prepared for what’s about to come?
You better pay attention, you better listen up
What I am about to tell will shock you even more
Even though I struggle to just stay afloat
I will keep on going without giving up
The more barriers that are put up the harder I’ll shout,
Till everyone listens to this battle cry
No matter what happens, no matter the cost
No matter how much this pain will hurt
I want you to know, I want you to see
We are not the people we are portrayed to be
We work hard, and we mean no harm
And it’s about time that you realize that!
The more you pretend like you don’t care
The bigger this is all going to get
Where we come from life is not a breeze
Why do you think we are all flocking here?
We don’t want to take advantage and steal your jobs
Come on be real, all we are looking for is a fair boss
We have families we need to support
Who deserve a future as bright as yours
We are at a point of no return
We can no longer be ignored!
No matter what happens, no matter the cost
No matter how much this pain will hurt
I want you to know, I want you to see
We are not the people we are portrayed to be
We work hard, and we mean no harm
And it’s about time that you realize that!
The more you pretend like you don’t care
The bigger this is all going to get
Where we come from life is not a breeze
Why do you think we are all flocking here?
We don’t want to take advantage and steal your jobs
Come on be real, all we are looking for is a fair boss
We have families we need to support
Who deserve a future as bright as yours
We are at a point of no return
We can no longer be ignored!
