Belonging

Fresh as a flower

I stepped into wedlock 

holding my friend’s hands

I stepped into my ancestral home 

I knew not their comfort zone

zone of 

wed locks within their zonal (village)

zone that sets others outsiders

The staunch comfort zone

The strong aversion

Limiting themselves, 

closing eyes

Unwilling to open

Every trip to hometown

I carry back 

traces of my native

Snacks & specials, 

Also pricks of words! 

After double decade

Of marriage

I am greeted with

"Now you are more like us"

I scream within & retort back, 

 "That’s bad I wish not to be" 

For you lack fairness

For you flock together

Your bond is strong

So is your blindness 

Been screened with

Biased eyes

Biased mind 

Abhorred views 

Haven't deterred me

This is my native, 

 my extended family, 

I pick the cherries

Drop the racist traits

I belong here! 

But

I am rational 

I will be me, Myself.