I am Dravidian, Tamil, American
Born between two lands And of many minds Claimed my lineage always Roots brandished with pride Vedas in my veins Manjal to make me fair (& lovely) Carnatic melody reigns Since birth, coconut oil in my hair ‘What’s that you’re eating?’ They’d sneer Oh, that’s just rice and kootu. Childhood spent seeking acceptance Still proudly wore the pottu They said be Bollywood or be gone I said no thank you I’d rather go at it alone It took years, But my people came around Sifting through crocodile tears There is kinship to be found I learned: Dark is beauty Tamizh is grace My ancestral wisdom Forever etched in my face We’re all home now Let’s do more than bask Don’t tell me how-- I’d rather you ask. Original poem by Divya Balakrishnan All rights reserved.
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