The Curse of the Immigration Paradox

You understand why they left,

Your parents wanted a better life for their children,

But you still hold a tad of resentment,

Your home is now on the land of unknown men.

You carry the name of your ancestors,

Yet you know nothing of who they were,

Your parents so young when they came here,

All their history is suddenly just a blur.

You speak their language, just to feel some connection,

But English is what you need,

You must start fresh, you have no roots here,

You are but a seed.

Yet, they don’t see you as one of them,

You are different and you know it,

Although outside you try and blend in,

Your homelife means you will never fit.

Your food, your clothes, your rituals,

The only thing that connects you is your traditions,

All passed down,

But they say it will eat away at your ambitions.

To conform will set you free they say,

Let go of what you hold onto,

Be the same,

Don’t look back at what you’ve gone through.

Your past is as important as your future,

You must look back,

You have to see what you’ve gained,

Or you will only see what you lack.

Your loved ones, their stories, their journey,

It cannot be forgotten,

You make your own way now,

But do not be spoiled rotten.

Be grateful for your past,

They came from far away for you,

You have what they had not,

Make do.