American Press Conference

No one knows what to make of me.  People constantly speak mandarin to me, of which I understand nothing.  I was told today that I could also pass for North Indian.  I thought there would be more Cantonese coming at me; something I do understand.  When I finally do get across that I'm half Singaporean, they ask; "How long have you been gone?  And when did you get back?" Then: "Ohhhh.  Thought you went away to foreign lands and just lost your accent."


I wrote this a long time ago.  I think it sums it up.

 American Press Conference

 march 08, 2007

I am often mistaken
I am often mistaken
I am often mistaken
And I write with the wrong hand

I am a chamelion
In the backdrop of this land

What are you
What are you
What are you?
They all ask

Depends on the weather
Depends on my task

I see this in you
Is that what you are?

Some countries
Though close
Have cultures quite far
Try again my friend
Yes you, in the back

Your tan comes out nicely
Are you from Iraq?

I'll give you a hint
I was born on an island

I was gonna say exactly
That you were Hawaiian!

I come from the cold
So I'll say sadly, No

Aha!  You've got to be Eskimo

That's not it either
And there's not much else left
These standards in greyscales
I'm going bereft

I'm Chinese with Irish
and I swear I'm not fakin
But I'm not often bothered
When I am mistaken

CMP