Who Am I?

Who Am I?

By Neda Shokrian

I can only remember growing up with my cousin.

All my life I knew that one thing was real.

I was meant to grow up a true Jewish life.

Who am I?

Why do I need to live this life?

Why should I have to alter everything I know and believe?

How can a simple girl like me save a nation?

Who am I?

I only try to be small and keep to myself in this insane world.

The big, fat king kills his wife and then what- he suddenly decides that he can take my life away from me?

I never wanted this.

Who am I?

I don’t want to be responsible for saving so many lives.

I can’t even begin to contemplate this huge change.

This isn’t the same Esther!

Who am I?

So what do I do now?

Am I to accept this new life?

Am I the new queen of Persia?

Who am I?

My life has been turned upside down.

I can never return to my old life.

Will they even recognize me?

Who am I?

I can’t fight the king.

I can’t change his mind.

I don’t have any say.

Who am I?

I will not give up.

I will not let this disruption determine my future.

I won’t let the king kill my people.

I know who I am.

I am here to save my nation.

I will be stronger than expected and become who I was meant to be.

I am Queen Esther.

I am the leader of the Jewish people.

I can live the life I was meant to live and save my people.

Then again, I am all a lie.

Will my beliefs be artificial as well?

Can I really do anything?

Who am I?