They Tell Me 'Go Home'

This submission earned Nina Escueta the first place winner of the Storytelling Contest's creative writing category.

Mangoes, ripe and green, to start off the day

Balmy breezes singing, whispering ‘stay,’

Orange skies painting, fruit-filled trees bending

With lychees to pick for night’s sweet ending

Sat by the window, thinking of home

Of jeepneys and carabao and green sea foam

Of friends and family, so close but so far

One call, one day, and one ocean apart

Thousands of miles and I feel each one’s weight

With each slur hurled, with each message of hate

Confusion, longing, and defiance stew

Go back to your country!

I miss my home,

But I belong here, too