i am american

i am american

but not by choice.

i am american

by birth, my voice

speaks languages

i do not know and

cannot hear, yet

they surround me.

the sphere

of my existence

plastic or glass

is pumped free

of molecules

that move sound

smell love and

even indifference.

i am american

by birth,

shackled wrist

and ankle

by cultivated

ignorance,

child of slaves

and refugees,

of the displaced,

discouraged,

reputable and

disreputable.

i am american

by birth, not

by choice, but

if i had to choose

again, i would be

american

and put a face

to the name,

a face without

shame, where

better than

is not

good enough.