The brown migrant is stripped off agency
Compelled by fate, driven by economics
Paid lower wages, than his boss from Global North/Hence called a migrant
Although there is a hierarchy among the global south too
His pay, will support a village
While he worries for his old age
As there are no savings and social security
Hopes that his child will chart the same footsteps to Jebel Ali
As he once did from a village in Nagercoil
Fresh off college, the choice was stark
Either join his relatives business in Bhandup
Or go for greener pastures in then emerging Dubai
By mortgaging the family silver to the money lender
Fortunately he has paid it back
And manages to get home to his ailing father every 24 months
Hopes to live a normal life
His normalcy is a 10 feet by 10 room in Karama
Shared by one other cousin
In his absence, his child grows up
And recognises his father on IMO
Aspires to show where his father lives
Justifying for his absence
Also called Pravasi
Hoping to earn his nod/respect someday
More precious than all the gold at Damas and Alukkas combined
