I looked into a mirror
Obscure dark eyes stared back at me
Unacquainted with my identity
Where am I from?

Are my eyes the eyes of a Café de Olla?
The warmth of family and appealing aroma?
Joyous dances of celebration
from a land of spirited color and pealing marimbas?

Are my eyes the eyes of a mighty shield
which never yields to defend dignity?
shredding away the bonds of slavery
and rebirthing art and poetry?

Are my eyes the eyes of a cherry tree?
Natural calligraphy embellished in beauty's delight?
A river of quiet theories
and wisdom's demonstrative eyes?

Are my eyes the eyes of hope?
Eyes that flee oppression and hatred
transforming the holy dessert into a fruitful oasis?
Watchmen to bring kol shalom?

Are my eyes the eyes of a revolution?
A journey in the bronze sand?
A pillar of faith in a dry land?
A veiled beauty as bright as the sun?

Are my eyes the eyes of a long dirt road?
A path of humble simplicity and the richness of the purest gold?
A heritage as fierce and keen as a tiger?
Rituals as seasoned as curry and spices of old?

Are my eyes the eyes of a spot of tea
with proper elegance and royal majesty?
A bridge over agitated waters?
An amour of scholarly valor?

Are my eyes the eyes of leather
which binds the people of earth and nature together?
Marching though a path of tears and sorrow
dancing all the way to make me stronger?

I looked into a mirror
Obscure dark eyes stared back at me
My brown eyes are the eyes of an American
swimming in a cultural pot of lost identity