By Shameem Shakat-Hussain

A poem exploring the struggles of unity. Even when a person is trying to assimilate and be as their host country wants them to be it is often contradictory. There is acceptance and discord creating social tensions where one is viewed as a stranger. This poem calls for coming together as friends not as strangers.  

Stiff upper lip you told me

That’s the English way

Let’s celebrate unity

But you push me away

You ask me to speak your tongue,

But pronounce your ‘three’ like ‘free’

Look like me, dress like me

I struggle to keep up with your fast fashion

Mix with my kind, but you don’t want me as your neighbour

You wrinkle your nose at my spice

Then order curry on Friday night

How can I fit in when you don’t fit in either? 

Where do you belong? Tell me

So I can meet you there

Not as strangers, but friends of man

Belonging together in the common land

Where we can belong together

Creating memories of that we would remember.

To read other poems written by Shameem Shakat-Hussain, follow her on instagram @echoes.of.iman.poetry.