metaphor

Yvonne McArthur – Migrations

Migrations
– Yvonne McArthur

We began as a
flock of Scots, a
Glasgow-living clan
Eaters of thick oatmeal
Musical brogue speakers

Crossed the Atlantic
Nested by the Speed River
Tossed seeds from the
Heights of Black Bridge

Some took root,
Sprouted into saplings
A forest of cousins,
Great uncles, and grandnieces
A family diaspora
Populating Canada

Others kept their wings
Soared down to Chiapas
Bushwacked through
Jungle, canoed on rivers,
Ate roasted monkey

But the wind currents called.
Drew feathered creatures
South to the highlands
Land of the Maya
To live among growers of
Garlic and onion

I learned to fly here,
Beating back and forth between
The Great Lakes and the
Caribbean Plate
Drawn to stay, become
endemic to one place. But also
Lured to fly onward forever

Yvonne McArthur is a TCK poet who grew up in Guatemala. Find out more about her or read more of her poetry here!

Read more TCK poetry here.

By CulTuremiKs, ago

Match – Memories From Before

Match – Memories From Before

I’ve been playing games with fire,
I’ve been watching flames grow higher,
In my burning home they rise up,
Working through the walls around us.

But do you know,
How tight I hold on to these memories from before?
The feeling’s cold,
But while these embers glow I hope to keep them close.

Every single word that’s spoken,
Every desperate breath is choking,
As the floors collapse I free fall,
In the snowing ash i’m peaceful.

But do you know,
How tight I hold on to these memories from before?
The feelings cold,
But while these embers glow I hope to keep them close.

Now my boiling blood it runs slow,
And the strongest flames feel ice cold,
Trying to find a way to end this,
As the fire soothes my senses.

Melting windows frame a warped view,
Have I passed the point of rescue?
Such a simple game to start this,
From the brightest light to darkness.

But do you know,
How tight I hold on to these memories from before?
The feelings cold,
But while these embers glow I hope to keep them close.

By Third Culture Kids

Listen to more music written about the TCK experience!

By CulTuremiKs, ago

No Creature’s Form

With the wings of an Eagle I cry
Screaming the freedom of wind and sky
Untethered from all land and place
I’m Queen of the unclaimed space

With Chameleon scales, I master disguise
Waiting for my cue with roaming eyes 
Blending to each new culture displayed
As my skin knows no original shade

With a turtle’s dark shell I hide
Holding my emotion protected inside
Come too close and I will retract
To keep my softer sides intact

With a camel’s back and wandering feet
I’m built to travel through the heat
My restless nature drives me on
Till all I’ve been or known is gone

With so many parts and pieces
The more you see the confusion increases
Nothing is simply mine but my name
No creature’s form can I fully claim

by Danae Tanner

By CulTuremiKs, ago