bhain sí di cóta, miotóga agus chunni;
ina haigne bhain sí di a bróga
roimh dhul isteach di i dteampall mistéire tuata.
D’fhág sí leis ina diaidh:
teanga, ainm, féiniúlacht;
chuir uirthi masc deas na haonchineálachta,
d’ullmhaigh le haghaidh ceachtanna san anaithnideacht chultúrtha.
Debjani Chatterjee
An Asian Child Enters a British Classroom
Before she stepped into the classroom:she removed coat, mittens and chunni;
mentally undid her shoes for entry
to a temple of secular mystery.
She also shed here:
language, name, identity;
donned the mask of neat conformity,
prepared for lessons in cultural anonymity.
