we are Different 

a family with yellow skin, dark brown eyes, broad, flat noses

we are Different

waiting in line for the U.S. Customs and Border patrol on our drive back from Canada, a family vacation

we are Different 

in the way that the line moves quickly but when we drive up, it slows

we are Different

which is why the patrol guard looks at us, sees our yellow skin and hardens his expression because

we are Different

so his voice becomes gruff and questions where we're from, tone aggressive all because

we are Different

so my dad answers the best that he can with his slightly accented English but

we are Different

so the patrol officer barks out questions, rude, and it leaves a bad feeling in my chest, hating the fact that 

we are Different 

until my dad finally understands and says "we're American citizens" and

we are Different

but at those words the patrol officer startles and breaks into a smile and even though

we are Different

the officer says "welcome back" like nothing happened, like he didn't just judge us because

we are Different

acting like he had been accepting of us, even though

we are Different 

and made me realize that America was a liar that we would never be free because 

we are Different

and I could never be brave in a country where I was chained by the fact that 

we are Different 

so all I can do is swallow the bitterness as we finally drive past the border patrol window, silent accepting that

we are Different

wishing that we weren't