By Tsoltim N. Shakabpa

I am Tibetan
No matter what the Chinese say
I am bright and beautiful
I have my wants and desires
I want my country back
I desire my freedom

I am a Tibetan
No matter what the Chinese say
I will celebrate King Songtsen Gampo's reign
I will salute King Trisong Detsen's conquests
I will honor the 13th Dalai Lama's Declaration of Tibet's Independence
I will treasure the 14th Dalai Lama's compassion and quest for world peace

I am Tibetan
No matter what the Chinese say
I will speak in Tibetan and not in Chinese
I will read and write in Tibetan and not in Chinese
I will protect my culture and not yield to Chinese dictatorship
I will practice my religion and not surrender to Chinese demands

I am Tibetan
No matter what the Chinese say
I will revere the Dalai Lama
I will raise the Tibetan National Flag
I will sing the Tibetan National Anthem
I will commemorate the Tibetan National Uprising Day

I am Tibetan
No matter what the Chinese say
I will encourage boycott of Chinese merchandise
I will incite revolution in Tibet against the Chinese
I will seek international support for Tibet's freedom
I will use the power of my pen against the guns of China

I am Tibetan
No matter what the Chinese say
I will fight to my dying day
I will practice non-violence
But if necessary, I will exercise violence
To win freedom and justice for Tibet

I am Tibetan
No matter what the Chinese say
I will be Tibetan
I will be a Tibetan in China-occupied Tibet
I will be a Tibetan in India or America
I will be a Tibetan anywhere

And never ever will I forget
To be a Tibetan in a free Tibet

Copyright: ©Tsoltim N. Shakabpa - 2008

* The poet, Tsoltim N. Shakabpa, is a passionate political activist for a free Tibet.