on fleeing to canada

canada is a commonly stated destination for many usamerican queers planning to flee the country. whereas canada may welcome them with open arms, the country has shown to be hostile to other groups, notably indian international students. i reflect as a desi person privileged by being born in the us, and marginalized through being trans

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i look north to canada
is it a place of salvation or 
a place i would never fit in? an enigma
a country that stands before
the laborers, students abused
like that's what they deserved
before the pale and queer, to here they led
as if this is who the country is reserved

who am i?

the same shade of brown
as those that toil, school and dead-end work, 
till the sky turns black, till the sound
of crickets, of perilous voices that lurk

who am i?

stuck in this body
abused when neglected, masculinized
stuck in this body
abused when loved, it's safety now compromised 

who am i?

not milky-white, 
my shade is of the exploited,
forgotten, at any time reviled
belonging nowhere, my skin forfeits
the queer stand-in voice
when i enter canada
do i have a choice
in who i am in the end?