(Poem) They Tell Me (Go Back Where You Came From)

They tell me go back to where you came from

And I laugh to myself

Because if you wanted to send me back to where I come from

You’d have to scatter me across the fucking/entire earth

Cut me up into little bits, pieces, tiny creases 

Till the mass of this body massively decreases

Folding and moulding all parts of my person 

Perfectly parted to particles rolling

Except…

You could never fold these thighs into a westernised size you can try and you will fail so not trying would be wise

Now…

They tell me go back to where I’m from

And I say, yeh, that’s actually not a bad idea

Your words are striking inspiration instead of striking fear

I could be on a beach in Cuba, or down Weatherspoons for a beer

I tell you what, ask me again and i just might book the flight right here

They tell me go back where you came from

I know in this body I am already home

I am a daughter but still soaking up the sun

I am what they tried to shink and instead seeded and resprung

I am broski, mandem, g but also baby girl and hun 

And this story has its ending but I have only just begun

Me dicen vuelve a donde vienes 

Y yo dije que mi casa es en mis genes 

Y mi alma no busca soluciones a tus problemes

Soy la casa, los muros, el piso, que claramente no tienes

Asi que gracias por mostrar exactamente quien eres, 

(pues parabienes)

(Translation ^)

They tell me go back where you came from

And I tell them my house is in my genes

And my soul is not searching for solutions to your problems

I’m the house, the walls, the floor, that obviously you are lacking

So thankyou for showing me exactly who you are

(Congratulations)

They tell me go back where you came from

I tell them a rooted tree cannot not revoked

Then I call to the spirits - Obatala I invoke

And when my ancestors join me, they join me on smoke

So next time they ask me where I’m fr- where I’m - on their words they will choke

I am what they tried to extinguish but only made spark 

I am one of a kind - entering alone to Noah's ark

I am burning so brightly I am glowing in the dark

I am in this very moment truly taking off my mask 

And I am Erin (fucking) James in case you didn’t ask