I am from a place far from home.
I am from the coast of the Indian Ocean, where the wind speaks so kind.
I am from a place that lost too many battles, to ignorance and hate.
I am from a war torn palace, where many ran free and others died in silence.
I am from a place that was once colonized by European nations.
I am from hardship and hunger.
I am from a nation that is being terrorized by its own people.
I am from a land where my native tongue is more than just one language.
I am from the outskirts of the Sahara deserts, where the sun greets you in your eyes, and the nights are as cold as the Minnesota winters.
I am from a place where my religion is my culture.
I am from a place where we say heaven is beneath our mother's feet.
I am from a kingdom that’s divided, yet our religion defines us as one.
I am from a family larger than the average.
I am from 6ft camels and countless cattle.
I am from multicolored rice and fried pastries.
I am from Ramadan fasting and Eid feasts.
I am from a land, of great prosperity.
I am from an empire that will rise.
I am from a place I never been, yet will always be my first home.
I am from Somalia.
- hamdi keynan, xoxo
