Left, right, left, right I walk…

Suddenly stopped.

Not by a bully, rock, or paper plane

But by a name.

I’m carried back on a wave of emotion

My parents telling me our family’s different,   “special”

Mother puts on my hijab as I wonder why…

Why being different is such a crime.

Forced back into this current moment of

SHAME all from one name.

Gravity inviting me to fall

To wallow in my lost dignity.

But then I remember…

My mom’s smile as she wrapped her old hijab around my face

My father’s sacrifice to give me these opportunities

I remember my heritage

…and I am proud

So I remain standing.

Refusing to look back.

Because it’s not the who? It’s the why, that counts

Left, right, left, right I walk.