Citizenship / First Funeral
wrote this after becoming an American citizen at age 20
my oath ceremony
was the first funeral i ever attended.
i felt this was a formal introduction
to what death and rebirth can look like
under the gaze of institutions.
they honored us in the memorial theatre
then yelled at us & herded us like cattle
forming lines to get certificates,
our tickets to the “American Dream”.
Up the steps!
Down the steps!
Table 6!
Go around!
The lovely lady asked me
If i was sure the gender marker
Was correct on my certificate
She wanted to make sure I
“Didn’t go home with the wrong one”.
Free pretzels as a snack after.
I took 2
They were too salty
But the dough was firm.
Parking lot traffic
Hot summer sun
All black attire
Thanking my mom
Day stuffed with documents
Name change requests
Confirmed the address
Endless bureaucracy
It was my first funeral
Passport a coffin
Decomposing in the soil
It once claimed as “new world”