Although my background includes Finnish, Irish, and a few other things, as an American, none of that has ever really been part of my identity…

I have no connection
to the old country
no sense of identity

I had no rituals passed down to me
no remnants of language
custom or cuisine

There were no holidays or saints observed
no stories passed along
no ceremonies or celebrations

No history

All was subordinated
in favor of
hamburgers
suntan lotion
the Fourth of July
and the three-day weekend

Though I was born here
I know not where I come from
I have no identity

beyond the one quietly imposed upon me

(21 September 2015)