How about us?

My home is a habitat for humans, animals and birds alike

We welcome everyone to our home

We do not accept you to join us because we have so much space,

Because we have nothing else to use our space

We love humanity

We embrace you because you are a part of us

A part of this beautiful universe

The boundaries we find ourselves in should not and can never divide us

Our home is your home

But;

When you come to my home

I am trashed away and my voice is taken

I cannot cough in my own backyard, let alone compound

All eyes turn on you

Everyone wants to identify with you

Support comes flocking in

I love you and yes, I want to see you stand tall again

 I am as human as you are

You didn’t find me with everything, but I chose to share the little I have

When they come to treat you and find me with festering wounds

Must I die from it when the doctor who came to treat you can treat me too?

My daughter and son are employed in that healthcare facility where you got to when you feel pain

Must you insult them and yell at them?

They are not there because of you as you think

They are there because they care about humanity

They could be anywhere else but they chose to serve right here

My government can barely feed me

I can’t access water to just quench my thirst-our local wells are dry!

I live below a dollar,

I am in tatters

I toil all day

And what I reap cannot be compared to my sweat

I cannot school my children,

My children desire to be something, someone in this country

It pains me to see their dreams shattered

I cannot afford the basic needs in life

When you come to my home

My government receives you and ensures that your life is well looked after

How about me?

How have I wronged my government?

Am I not human enough?

Don’t I deserve to live a decent life?

Don’t I deserve to keep my belly full with food?

I long to see my children’s dream light up before them

But it is only a dream

My home is being taken away from me

And I am asked to remain calm

It is getting harder to do that

I have a lineage that needs this land too

I am happy to share it and not give it entirely away

Do not strip me of what rightfully belongs to me

Do not tear us apart

Care for me as you care for the visitor

Through the eyes of Ayenyo Joanita