I Am Not, I Am Different

• Victoria Katris, Grade 9
• Poetry
• 2014

I wake up in my government-funded house,
But you seem to think that’s because of my poor choices.
You only see the depraved ones, the ones that rob, lie and cheat their way through life,
Not me; I am different.
I try hard for what I love, my children, my family,
I apply for jobs but you are weary of me.
I’m a hard worker, but for what the bad ones have done,
It automatically makes me the same. I am not.
Just because my skin colour is different to yours. I must be bad news.
You invaded and all I want is equality, but I must be bad news.
You walk on the train, all the seats are full,
There are two left beside me, you choose to stand.
I buy from your store; just because my wallet is stuck in my pocket,
You decide I’m about to steal.
I walk to the park and you walk past, already I am a beggar.
Trust me, I am not what you decide.