Ring Around the Rosie

Moving to the United States has left me feeling vulnerable. Left me feeling like a child trying to be included in the games played at recess. Striving so hard to have just one person willingly open up their hand and welcome me into their group - welcome me to become their friend.

Ring around the rosie

Hands and hearts so cozy

The bond never becoming diluted

Smiles, laughs and inside jokes

Only meant for the circle of folks

Within the ring of the rooted

Red rover, red rover

Send the new kid right over

To try and break through the barrier

Searching for just one soft spot

Realizing that they simply cannot

Retreating defeated in their error

And then there came another game

Waiting eagerly to hear their name

Only to be disappointed in the end

The last to be called upon

Ultimately their peon

Solely longing to blend

The balls aim to brand

Because they completely misunderstand

What is not common and familiar

Better to keep them down and out

Then to figure what they’re all about

Now who is really the failure?

Be the open hand

Be the soft spot

Call their name

Remember when others forgot

Open up your heart

Freely give an embrace

Welcome the outsider

And allow them to finally find their place