brought from Burma at six years old
my parents fled for their lives
pursuing freedom from tyranny
and a safe place to raise their child

when they tried to enroll me in school
in the land of the free
there was a place for every kid
except for this refugee

we are future Americans
we started as refugees
its time to give us a place here
our dreams don't threaten your dreams

down at the mill I learned to cut
faster than anyone could
I have a knack for that type of work
and I love the smell of the wood

I've tried to watch NASCAR and drink a few beers
with some of the guys at the bar
though my English is good, there's so much I don't get
even though I've come so far

we are future Americans
we started as refugees
its time to give us a place here
our dreams don't threaten your dreams

I married a woman from Burma
that I met in my neighborhood
we had a traditional wedding
the guys from the mill loved the food

we had a beautiful child
innocent and free
but all she’ll ever hear from the people in power
is that she threatens her dreams

Posted Wednesday, March 1st 2017