I'm from scorching days and fresh nights.
I'm from bare feet in the streets and heaps of fights.
I'm from no air conditioning and repeated days with no lights.
I'm from the third world.

I'm from a place that makes America look like paradise.
I'm from where teachers own sticks and dogs are not here to be nice.
I'm from hard work and no rights.
I'm from the third world.

Where I'm from it's not all bad.

I'm from soccer in the grubby streets and unity in the air.
No matter how hard it gets, there are still smiles everywhere.
I'm from home-cooked meals every day.
I'm from where everybody has a place
to stay.
I'm from the third world.

by Zakaria El-tayash, Columbia, MO