The Second Generation

Separated from their homes: Souls in limbo. Dreading questions of identity: responses in crypto.

‘Where are you from?’ a simple question but a cause to wonder, Whether the question refers to an area, birthplace, or ethnicity

Welsh? British?

My parents were born in Hargeisa, in Somaliland. I’m from Hargeisa in Somaliland. I’m African. I’m Black.

But

I wasn’t born there, I’m Welsh.

'Ti ddim yn cymraes', nhwn ddewud. 'Pobol cymraeg yn gwyn, ti ddim yn gallu hawlio, mae ddim yn gwneud synwyr.'

They say the same in Somaliland:

‘Soomaali ma tihidin Af geena kuma hadashaan.’ ‘Nama sheegan kartaan Ciyaal qurbaad tihiin.’

We don’t fit perfectly either side But why should there be a guide All these parts of my identity unified Nothing else matters as long as I’m satisfied.