You ask yourself, 'How am I different?'

by Nuha Ali •

Fears, tears

Cheers and mirrors Walking on every block, with fears

Hearing people call you names, and holding back your tears

Going back home and seeing yourself in all different mirrors


Asking yourself one thing, “How am I different?”

This blog features new Minnesotans. Many of them participate as part of an English Language Learning class. Nuha Ali is a high school student in the Twin Cities.

Looking from head to toe

Noticing nothing will show

Your body all perfect in cloth

No matter what it cost
Asking yourself one thing, “How am I different?“


Eating all the meals

Saving every deal

Happy to help your mother

And hating to fight with your brother

Locking yourself in your room

Wishing you can hit the world with a broom!


Asking yourself one thing, “How am I different?“



Wake up in the morning

Get dressed all over, like it’s snowing

Packing your books in your bag

And not leaving one paper sag

Rushing out the door

But wanting to stay a little more


Asking yourself one thing, “How am I different?”

Arrive at school on time

Give hugs and buy a drink with ten dimes

Talk to your girls about the weekend

Laugh, write a text and press send

In the class, before the bell rings

Smile and take out your things
Asking yourself one thing, “How am I different?”


Teachers talk and talk,

They will never stop

Writing notes, then you hear a pop!

You turn and see, a boy staring

And think, at me?

You get a chill on your back

But act like this is a fantasy that’s white and black

He turns around, and you finally breathe

You just want to understand why people are so deceived
Asking yourself one thing, “How am I different?”

Your school day is over

Now you know you have to find a lucky Glover

Knowing that you’re going on the blocks all alone

And fearing you might be stolen

Not by money

But by words that don’t sound like honey
Asking yourself one thing, “How am I different?”

Ever car that rolls by

Glares with jumping alibi

But knowing the truth

Even though you need no proof

They hate you, is what you think

You feel heat, and then blink

A tear rolls down your eye

And you always had told yourself not to cry

To keep it all in

And stay strong, not thin

But that moment throw the words away

It left you in a dark, dark, scary day

Where you wished you were back home

Where everyone made you not feel alone

Always by your side

To say, hey I am the same, so don’t hide

It came to be, that it’s your first time, not asking, “How am I different?”

With an extra piece of cloth on your head

Like your hair is a mess when you woke out of bed

But does it matter adding a cloth?

Why don’t they talk about the baseball hat?

Is it because am staying with my religion?

Or is it because they think I have no fashion?

I am all of these in your eyes, but one thing

The truth never lies,

I love my scarf, and my religion

I hope one day you’ll understand

And hold out a hand

You finally see a woman smile

Although she’s driving nine hours per a mile

You smile back

And think; now I can relax

No more fears

No more tears,

Just looking at all the different mirrors