She looked at me with eyes pensive
Then glanced again at my passport
My apologies if I sound offensive
She muttered as if lost
What's your story sir?
And I knew she'd expect
an honest answer
As her mind seemed unmade
Once again
Like countless times before
I narrated my story with pain
To a stranger I didn't know
In the best way I could do
Why did my name betray My looks?
How many times did I have to?
Once again I was like pages in the wrong books
I wanted to just go already
It was tiring doing this again
But my flight was past ready
So for my freedom to gain
I swallowed the tight on my throat
Trying to stay calm as I could
My toes curled in a tight knot
Knowing I couldn't afford being rude
I know it's absurd Miss
It's been always been the same
Question and the answer is
I don't know why this name
Because you see I didn't choose
My name nor how I'd look like
And what they gave me I couldn't refuse
It's beyond me for God sake
You see, I look like my Muslim father
Whom I have never seen
I got my name from my Christian mother.
Maybe that's their sin
She didn't match my name with my hue
Neither did he ever look for me
So ma'am that's my story all true
And I beg you let me be!
With a wry smile like in agreement
She thumped my passport
With two stamps intermittent
I knew she judged me not
But understood my prayer
That not one should bagger
Me for these looks; but as his heir
I'd live answering for the sins of my father
©danguch
M