Model Myth

Palimpsest

"The highest form of belonging is invisibility." Inspired by conversations with people who spoke to me as though I were not a person of colour.

Photo by Sujeeth Potla on Unsplash

I am no different
to the person
on a boat,
floating on 
liquid graves,
separated from
a nation
for waves of
promised 
hopes. 

I am no different
to the groups
speaking 
mother tongues.
Eating the crumbs
of the governing sons
given tidy sums
while signing
cheques for
another slum.

I am no different to
corner
shop keepers,
selling cheap
liquor, greeting 
fickle drinkers
with a smile
and a
Snickers bar.

I am no different
to the brown
girls in blue,
handing pills
in paper cups,
erupting in
laughter
after a shared
joke and 
appeal for
plasters.

I am no different
to the accented
voices, employed
by faceless 
boys,
to cajole
and coerce
more coins
from supporters. 

But I am the "Good Immigrant,"
less militant than
past brethren.
Indifferent to the
sufferings
of other belligerent 
workers.

Stillness is my 
strength,
going to great
lengths
quietening the noise
of these
hostile forces.

If you can't 
beat them,
become them.
Dilute the multi-colours,
the comms,
the culture,
the structure,
until the browns
become white.

Copyright © 2026 Suswati Basu. All rights reserved.