Maithri Panagoda
An Unlawful Non-citizen
Her heartbeat
louder than gunfire
Hot sun reflecting on her tired eyes
exposing fear
helplessness
hopelessness
Burnt skin
unquenched thirst
At age 10
committed no crime
except losing in the genetic lottery
Born to the wrong sect
Too young to understand
the irrational sectarian divide
Fled her homeland
To escape the brutality of her own people
Arrived finally at the doorstep
of the land of opportunities
She looks at border security
Eyes begging
tears dried on burnt cheeks
Response is blank
harsh and indifferent
just like back home