As a baby, you picked me up
Held me upside down
And while I bawled
You started your discrimination
At school, you brought in caste
Sub-caste, creed, religion
When Gopi, Mathew, Iqbal
And Melissa were just my friends
When I went to college
You made me a professional
While all I wanted was to sing
Dance, paint and read
When I looked for a job
You looked at my skills
And how you could use me
To achieve your ends
When I got married
You put a price on me
Made me a commodity
And walked all over my dignity
And when I grow old
You will make me a senior
label me unfit
And treat me special
When will you ever learn
That I am me
And will always be me
Despite whatever you say or do
M V J Simon
