Was it so abhorrent
Of me to pull them up
When they washed ashore,
To share all I had
When they had need?
Was it so brutish
Of me to fetch them wood
Or build them tracks
Or serve them food
Or carry their packs
That they can’t bear
The peril of my skin
So different, so exotic,
So ingrained with ancient mysteries
From far-off dragons,
It must not belong here?
Was it so vile
Of me to want to walk this land
Or breathe this air
Or make my demands
Or shake off stares
With the same liberty they can,
But I can’t
Because it doesn’t matter
If I’m born here when I’m born with
Eyes that fold wrong,
That instantly mark me as the enemy
Should I ever forget my place?
And was it so foolish
Of me to love you,
To hope you’d go with me,
Knowing I’d long surrendered
To the monster they say I am?