by Joanne Kennedy Frazer
 |
| Cartoon by Nick Anderson |
I am American
adopted 24 years ago
from Peten.
I am Guatemalan
proud of my
Mayan heritage.
I am American
in a large family that I love
(mom, dad, sisters, aunts,
uncles, cousins, grandparents).
I am Guatemalan
Some Americans are angry
that I am here
in their country.
I am American
work fulltime,
attend university,
pay taxes, vote.
I am Guatemalan
many who look like me
are torn from their
American lives
sent to detention centers
no due process.
.
I am an American
whose family
is gravely concerned
for my welfare
in these times.
I am a Guatemalan-American citizen.
Author's note: This is my grandson's life right now...I feel it needs to be shared.
Joanne Kennedy Frazer, a retired peace and justice director and educator for faith-based organizations, began writing poetry in her third stage of life, and has now been published more than 80 times in a variety of literary venues. Five poems were turned into a song cycle, Resistance, by composer Steven Luksan, and performed in Seattle and Durham. Her last chapbook, Seasonings (Kelsay Books), was nominated for the Eric Hoffer Book Award. She lives in Raleigh, NC.
