'ME"

strip me naked from my race
my name, occupation or my face
my hair and shoes and my size
my height and my big brown eyes
my smile dimples and how I laugh
my friends or my other half
my money and material things
the happiness that it may bring
undress me and do not trace
separate me from this place
a culture I did not choose
nor the country I did lose

ask me though where I've been
goodness I watched as well as sin
war and peace at different times
theft and organized crimes
birthday anniversaries and heart breaks
tornadoes and aftershock quakes
language and manners I was taught
direction and choices that I sought
religions and lies I refused
the standard books I did not use
joy and health as well as sickness
hate and love that I witnessed