Colors

When we gaze upon the many colors of our skin,

We seek to understand how those colors create

attitudes or bring to mind stories from history clouded with hate; lead

others to think their colors are more pure than the rest.

Like a box of crayons, each color brings forth a memory or

emotion or feeling; many constructed by rules we have set.

Each color in the box has a story—of struggle and perseverance,

            hoping for others to have a vision that is both

            clear and colorful at the same time.

As I see students pass, I see the culture in their eyes.

As they speak, a choir of melodies brings their culture alive.

Although I cannot understand them, I speak their language of equality

            and feel their need for respect, their need to open the eyes of the

            blind and the colorblind.

Every color in the box has a beautiful story to tell and a resilient future to build.

4-16-14