Cultural Shunning

We tend to underestimate,
to isolate or tease or bait
the children of the heads of state
sent to our country to educate.

We shun them or we inundate
with judgments that excoriate
their daily prayers that ululate,
or trappings that seem too ornate.

Before you do, please choose to wait,
considering what is the fate
of these strangers you think you hate
who’ve entered in our nation’s gate.

That student that you underrate?
That strange man that you will not date,
make fun of over dress or weight?
One day may be a potentate!

I wonder, can you “guesstimate”
how likely when he’s called to rate
our country as a foe or mate––
he is to underestimate?

The word prompt today was “Underestimate.”