Where are you from?

Where are you from

Such a simple question

Yet such a complex equation

I come from so many places

Each leaving their unique trace

But I can’t not mention one

Because that would disrespectful

And I’m not forgetful

But I also don’t know how to respond

So I just stare into the beyond

Contemplating my response

Getting distracted by croissants

Until I remember the task at hand

But I’m working like sand 

trying to wrangle my brain

to explain

So they can grasp

In a snap

Woher kommt ihr?

I pause

And wait for the claws

To rescue me from within

And transport me to Berlin

Where the flowers grow wild

And the nationalities even wider

D’où venez vous?

it surprises me

When we don’t do la bise

It’s normal etiquette where I come from

Yet the net effect it has it has is great

I feel alone

In a place I call home

But I don’t cry

Until I die

Thinking on all the things I wish I’d done

Because I was too timid to have fun

Di dov’è Lei?

Normally there’s silence everywhere I go

But here, there music playing everywhere I know

People chatting away

From the ballet to cafes

It’s different, a refreshing revamp

But I must remain vigilant

As I don’t know how this place operates

In today’s dollar rate

De onde você é?

my brain races

Thinking of all the places 

And faces

Not wanting any to be forgotten

Being left under the hot sun

Because they deserve to be remembered

And not be burnt to embers

Vu wou kënns du?

Long story short

I don’t need your support

I can do this on my own

You just have to remain patient

So my story doesn’t become vacant 

Where are you from

I reply

Long and shy

To show you I try

No matter my goodbye