did you know the color of a person’s skin
is the density of paper a millimeter of pigment
as thick as the material this is written on?
without that thin layer you couldn’t say you have
a black brother white sister red mother brown father
if you look beyond that hue and stain
and burrow past the tissue and bone
you’ll find compassion fear forgiveness family
friendships the bone marrow of all we share
if you strip it all back to the beginning
of who and what we are where are the differences?
it will all be familiar you looking at you
sure see the world as a brightly painted masterpiece
but know that your heart is as colorless as its core