I Never Slept In America Poem by Raj Dronamraju

I never slept in America
Eyes wide open in America, constantly cautiously looking around for threats
For advice on what I should do so as not to be devoured by a horrific, drooling greed
That takes one over then hijacks the outer shell-the only thing left

I never slept in America
Tossing and turning in America
In an all night mini-mart looking at dirty magazines
I never dreamt of others in America
Our lust is canned goods, heated over low flame, not to be confused with something that tastes good

I never slept in America
Because if I did, I might get replicated
Like in the film Invasion of the Body Snatchers
Just another pod person on the road at 7: 15 AM

I never slept in America
I felt so strongly that something vile had gotten around my defences
Was poking my snout and making like a rubber hammer to the reflexes
The tortured spastic outpatient and his condition that mistakenly thought itself unique

I never slept in America
I bedded down on the airplane
I woke up in another land
Impressed to no end that the weight had been removed from my chest