“The story he wrote was about a fish that was
swimming happily along in the sea when a wicked witch
turned it into a man. The fish couldn’t come to terms with
his transformation and decided to chase down the wicked witch
and make her turn him back into a fish. ”
–ETGAR KERET,
"Creative Writing"

INNER CITY STORIE

I am Puerto Rican, but most people think I am white,

And the fact that I don’t speak fluent Spanish doesn’t help either.

I am a guy, but I do not hang out with other guys,

I don’t even play sports or video games.

All of my friends are girls, that’s just how it is.

I am attracted to females, but I am also attracted to males.

People tell me all the time, “It’s not possible to like both genders,

stop lying, your voice isn’t even high-pitched, you’re gay, why don't you just pick a side?”

Pick a side they say?

What am I picking between, the Yankees and Red Sox,

Ketchup and mustard, black and white? Why can’t I like both?

I have been struggling for a while now.

I usually don’t let what other people say affect me,

But lately I have been taking a deeper look into who I am

and how society affects how I live my life on a daily basis.

I know I haven’t fully accepted myself yet,

Although I know I am on the right path to get to that point.

Until then, I will continue to be myself, whether I am different or not.

‘Cause shit, why should I even need to fit into a group?

I am tired of a society that revolves around a ‘this or that’ mentality.

I am this, I am that, and I am me.

Whether you like it or not, that’s who I am.