Half-caste
an insecure insecurity
something that isn't really mine
a fleeting thought hidden in shadows
brought forward by history's rhyme.
the attempted genocide of natives
i know that it's not right
but i wince every time i hear the word
tossed around like wasted time.
half-caste, they say
the half-caste children
taken from their families
it was utterly brutal but maybe remember-
they were just that- half
it shouldn't be an insult
i know no-one means harm
but when "impure" sounds like a freak of nature
it makes me think i am.
i'm not even indigenous
it's nothing to do with me
except it is
and it hits hard
even in my own family.
"exotic"
"halfies"
"chinese doll"
heard all these things, it's strange
thy're compliments i guess but
they still shouldn't take the stage.
"you don't look particularly like anything" i've been told.
well thanks, that feels just great.
seriously though, it starts to hurt
when you feel like you belong nowhere on this earth
because you've just heard it again and again
from all of your family and all of your friends
nobody says it but i still get the words:
half-caste.