I'm Native Poem by Lee Boueri

I was born upon this land,

I am a native too

In my home it was a different mode,

We practised a different religious code

Hanging icons in our abode

We still shared the same postcode.

I may not dress like the way you do,

that may be true but I am a native too

.

If we're both raised upon this land

how can my rights be less than you?

We both rely on this soil's spoils,

warmed it's winters with the same heating coils

Cooked our food in it's boiling oils

purchased through our family's toil,

absorbed it's culture as we grew,

I stated proudly as children do

I too was one of you

.

This is my home, the only one I knew

Education, films, friends and news,

Riding bikes and girlfriend blues

Taking neighbours mum's homemade stews

'Go back home' you say.

Where to?

I am a native too.

.

I could never understand

the hatred that you spew

My skin may have a different hue,

I might profess a different view

As I grew I became outspoken,

values taught now sound like tokens,

Step into my shoes

See what I went through,

You'd understand 'You don't belong'

leaves me heartbroken

I am a native too.