Legacy of Assimilation

blessing or curse

What does it mean to be assimilated?  
Does it bring the Borg to mind?
It is good or is it bad?
Why does assimilation happen?

What does it mean to be assimilated?
Did it happen in the historical past?
What legacy does it leave behind?
How is the conflict within resolved?

Assimilation - to be absorbed
Absorbed by what and into what?
Are the reasons selfish or motivated by survival?
What happens with the belonging of the old interfere with the new?

When the assimilant, if there is such a word,
Is unaware of being assimilated
And only aware of standing out
In everything they do

Upon finally learning the truth
Is it a relief?
Is it a burden?
A combination of the two?

Are the feelings ones of
Joy
Sadness
Or depression

When through old eyes one sees
Suspicion on both sides
Caution in all eyes
Understanding each too well

Assimilated but not
Can't go back
Can't go forward
Stand to the side and watch

Author's Note

"The process by which a person or persons acquire the social and

psychological characteristics of a group: “Waves of immigrants

have been assimilated into the American culture.”"
The American Heritage® New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third

Edition

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

"The Borg"...I think someone might be a Star Trek fan. You bring up some interesting questions and, although I've thought about some of the same things, I've never put it in that context. In the case of two people who marry, you might say that over time, they assimilate one another, at least partially. I recently looked at a tree I played in 50 years ago, and the ten-penny nail I drove into it as a kid has apparently been assimilated.

[Alysa Salzberg]

Hi Norma, I think this is a brave topic to write about. I have to say, not being familiar with your work and views, I was worried that I'd find something here that was going to be offensive (especially to someone like me, an immigrant trying her best to fit into her new culture, while still well aware, and not ashamed, that I retain so much of my native culture, and always will). Instead, I am happily surprised to find a poem of simple wonder and wondering, with some very interesting questions. Great job - and very effective, because in reading, I found myself thinking a lot about these ideas and musings. Thanks for a pleasant surprise.

[Norma M Sutton]

Not really poetry, just my way of painting a memory of questions that I'll use sometime at a later date.