
Sunny Sian.
Scars
Scarred knuckles
Scarred face
Battles won
Battles lost
Some seen
Some unseen
All… felt
Why do they call me names in the playground?
Why wont the teachers don’t do anything?
Finding solace in the dinner ladies
Taken under a shielding wing
Wings of safety
Wings of protection.
Why do they say I’m dirty?
Going home to scrub my skin
Why wont this dirty skin wash away?
Why do they stare at me in the street?
Whisper things under their breath
Why do they shout at me on the bus?
GO HOME!
I don’t understand
I am going home
They see me in the street
This again?
Just want a word
Never just a word
Empty your pockets
What have I done?
I’ll ask the questions
You’re not welcome here
There’s the door GET OUT!
We don’t serve YOUR kind here
Ok ok no need to shout
I only wanted a beer
Here we go again
Do you know why I’ve pulled you over?
We both know the real reason
I can smell cannabis
Are you taking the piss?
I have the right to…
I know my rights
This isn’t my first time
It wont be my last
Applications sent
No response
Interviews had
No calls back
A different approach
A different name
Interviews had
Feedback: ‘Overqualified’
More like: ‘over colourfied’
A lifetime of scars dealt
A lifetime of scars felt
Scarred by fights in school
Scarred by fights in the street
Scarred by words
Scarred by actions
Scarred by lack of actions
Scarred by police interaction
Scarred by the way they look at me
Scarred by the way they treat me
Scarred on my skin
Scarred in my mind
Scarred in my soul
But never… in my heart
Thank you for sharing Sunny 🙏🏽
Beautifully written.
Poignant and painful yet your heart is perhaps pure..?
Sacred for sure.
Best,
Eleni
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Words of truth and emotion from the battlefield of racism. Thank you.
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