Double Life
Location
Everyone says two is better than one
A couple of treasures is greater than none
They say, "You're so lucky, you can do both"
encouraging, empowering, influencing my growth
At home I hear one tongue and respond in another
"La comida esta lista", "I'm coming mother"
Both languages cramming my brain
Too many words, how do I stay sane?
Just trying to divide up both lifestyles
Preserve my culture, know my identity
I Must find shelter, a place of serenity
I scurry to my room, lie on my bed
trying to calm all the thoughts in my head
mom asks, "Estas bien?" I say, "Si" - I lied
in my journal are all the feelings I hide
to write, to sing, to pray
poems of my struggles I can convey
no judgement , just me
writing on paper just to feel free
I write to help distinguish
French, Spanish, and English
pondering my double life, my double culture
practicing le francais, writing English, and speaking el espanol
Born in Mexico, dual citizen, that's my role
Writing serves a dual purpose
helping to calm my multicultural circus
I realize my upbringing is nothing to be ashamed of
acknowledging my talent is a gift
a blessing I've always missed