What you Carry

by Manal Rashid

You,

The pride of your ancestors

To see who carries on their blood

Their eyes

Their resilience

You,

The heir of it all

Who carries the laugh of your friends

The habits of those you love

With hair crafted of the culture you belong to

With the silhouette of the mighty who came before you

You,

Who has the fire of the rebels

The heart of the lovers

The strength of the leaders

And with it, you,

Still carry shame

Tucked deep into the corners of your heart

Misery that lingers on behind you

Diffidence etched into your tongue

Despite it all, you carry on

Like a trailblazer through the path

The guide for who comes after

The pioneer of a thousand fields

Because no one does it quite like you.