The bittersweet words lay like a blanket on my head.

All the letters swarm, and I feed off it as I go to bed. 

And then, a feeling like huge waves crash against my soul. 

I look up, and there in that dark enclosed room is a bright light that seeps through a hole. 

 

You see, I am judged for the things I do; 

I swear that this is all true.

In a country where people are free, 

However, I’m contained in a box with no key.

 

My actions are limited, 

Although, I have never committed.

I’m belittled, looked down upon. 

For what? Reading the Quran. 

 

Society runs away from us, 

Scared we’ll throw them under the bus.

They call us hurtful names. 

“Terrorists” and “Killers” are what they claim.

 

When you turn on the television, 

There are murders, protests, and collisions.

It only takes one word for a rising suspicion.

They always suspect that it’s all because of one religion. 

 

I get it.

I know that I don’t fit.

School was never easy. 

Bullied, judged, misunderstood, the routine was never breezy.

 

Why is it that society does that? 

Differentiating and separating people like friending on Snapchat.  

Gender, ethnicity, religion, looks,

What happened to never judge a book?

 

People judge me based on my skin. 

I’m Black, that is where it begins. 

Then they judge me for being a female. 

At last, it comes to being a Muslim, I always feel like I’m leaving a trail.

 

Hatred, death, and crime, 

A bomb being thrown. Tick-tock, you’re running out of time.  

My religion is all about peace and being forgiving. 

But the people who claim to be part of my religion, always let innocent people be grieving.

 

Where are my rights?

If I truly felt I had them, I would never start a fight.

Protesting to be heard, day and night.

At the end of the day, I still stick out like a bright light.

 

It will never end in this country. 

I wish I was a kid in elementary. 

As kids, we were so innocent. 

Not a care in the world, we are all U.S. citizens.

 

Who am I?

I am not a terrorist, murderer, nor a spy.

I am just me, 

With absolutely no reason to flee.

 

Traveling and seeing new sights.

Like Aladdin, I want to see the world in new heights. 

If you haven’t noticed, I love Disney. 

I’ve seen Mulan one hundred times, and I am obsessed with Mickey and Minnie.

 

I’m very scared of spiders. 

Soon in my family, I will be the only provider. 

I am allergic to amoxicillin, an antibiotic.

I find the human heart to be very exotic.

 

I am quite clumsy. 

I have broken three of my bones which might mean I’m unlucky.

I love to listen to all types of music and to read fantasy and romance,

but I am not known to dance.

 

I am funny, weird, kind, and sweet.

I love basketball, watching Korean dramas, and trying new foods to eat. 

Like everyone else, I have dreams. 

Being a cardiothoracic surgeon, working on a team. 

 

I am neither a prisoner nor a threat. 

I know that 9/11 is not an easy thing to forget.

I am just mad,

That when “one of us attacks,” all Muslims are on a “Wanted” ad. 

 

The thing is, I cannot stay quiet.

I refuse to let the news be biased.

We deserve a chance to explain, 

To not be left on the moving train. 

 

I don’t want to stick out forever.

I won't follow the plan that is so clever. 

I will find my way out of this decoy. 

I refuse to surrender and see them jump up in uttermost joy.

 

In the US, I’m considered different. 

All my thoughts and concerns are insignificant.

I want to create a world where we are all accepted. 

A perfect society where no one is neglected.

 

Deep down, we are all human. 

All sexes, religions, ethnicities, can form one union.

Character is the most important thing, 

Not the stereotypes people sing. 

 

My thoughts clear up as I visit the world of make-believe.

Now everything I wish for will be achieved.   

Living in the discomfort of other people always seeing.

I am just a normal human being.