Poem: ‘Mixed-Race Superhero’ by Elijah Macbean

By Elijah Macbean

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I am the British chicken tikka masala,

The Pakistani fish and chips.

David Tennant in a kufi.

Imran Khan in a kilt.

I’m a James Saddique,

A Muhammad Smith.

Watching Hollywood on Eid,

Bollywood on Christmas.

I’m bridging the gap,

Blurring the lines.

Existing as a protest,

I’m in the middle of the picket being pulled at both sides,

Refusing to move.

Refusing to pick sides.

It’s not Jekyll and Hyde,

It’s Adam and Ibrahim. 

I’m Elijah from the Bible,

I’m Elijah from the Qu’ran.

I get on the bus when they tell me to go home,

No airport security necessary.

I’m the olive coloured olive branch,

An open-faced kid.

With two cultures on my back,

Fighting for my preference,

A love triangle.

I’m polyamorous in this regard,

Practising disregard

for your mono.

I’m a protest vote,

The gentrification and immigration.

Sarfaraz Ahmed with three lions on his shirt.

Wayne Rooney in a shalwar kameez.

Tommy Robinson’s nightmare,

Sadiq Khan’s dream.

I am multiculturalism.

I am both.

I am neither.