So many years ago
You told me
how much you disliked my long hair
happy when I lost it to disease
knowing or not how much it meant to me
more than just natural hair
like a spiritual love affair
of resistance against assimilation
speaking of who I am

So many years ago
when, without any pretention
I was drawn
and just wanted to feel the drum
and the dance steps
the bells and the hoops
the bread and the stew on my tongue
– You insisted on coming along
to ruin it through your own discomfort

So many years ago
when I travelled far,
and found a mother
who gave me a name,
a song, a drum and a feather
your mockery
made me lock away
the treasures I had found
though they resonated within me
without any pretention
to be someone

Now
I am taking them back
the pieces of my soul
Let the sun mend them back together
Always without pretentions
but knowing that I am
I am from many roots
and no-one can take them away
I am many things
and I need not decide
because they are all part of me
– No more shame.