If I write in Tamil
does it mean thenI have deeper sense -
of what we are
and who we fear
and why we stir
from here?
And if I write Malay
then have I strayed
and lost my roots -
become a curried nationalist
betrayed my race
and pride
as I shift lonely
to the side?
And if I write in English
just because
the taste is mine,
it is my strongest condiment,
I've used it all my life
to spice and flavour piquancy
does this mean I have
right?
does this mean I am
right?
(c) Charlene Rajendran 1999
