I am not

I don’t want the ball in my throat to swell any more.
I close my eyes when the news is on.
And tell myself
“I am no terrorist.
”I am confused because my Religion is not one of
hate and war
Yet
That is what I am seeing.
I lower my gaze every time I feel a stair.
My Hijjab is strangling me.
My shirts are shorter and my pants are tighter.
I want to belong.
I question my own voice.
Then I cry Because
I don’t want to question
My being.
I keep telling myself,Be strong, hold your head high
But...
..I...
...am....
......Slipping.....
I don’t want to be strong.
I am sick of answering stupid questions
With a Smile.
I want to just tell them Read a book.
“I am no terrorist”
But I am a ticking bomb.
Waiting for the next comment or snide remark.
I want to snap.
Choke them with the truth.
Force them to see.
“I am no terrorist.
”They called my brother a “sand nigger”
he was born here and his skin is beach sand.
“camle jokey”
I’ve never even rode one.
And I just keep telling myself
“I am no terrorist”
“I am no terrorist”
“I am no terrorist.”