My People

you think me privileged, but

my people came from peasant stock

land workers uneducated but honest

proud with little to show for it

you think me privileged, but

my people’s skin is no more white than black

the sun has etched its deep hue, but

colour doesn’t define me

you think me privileged, it’s true

my people were never slaves, but

they were never masters either

just loyal, hardworking, ordinary

you think me privileged, free, but

my people never ran away from war

never succumbed to the tyrant’s voice

never lost their mother tongue

you think me privileged, perhaps I am,

to name my people family

father mother sister brother

privileged to name these people kin

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© Graham Sherwood 03/2021