Color Blind Innocence
They looked at me with disgust in their eyes
The moment that I walked in
The hatred and fear they felt inside
Based on the color of my skin
I was just a stranger passing through
Who simply got lost on his way
I stopped in to get some food
Not realizing prejudice was the price to pay
All heads turned and followed me
As I found my way to an open seat
The once noisy room was silent now
The waitress – afraid of me to greet
I smiled and nodded my head to the few
Who dared to look me in the eye
I knew that they all wanted me gone
But I couldn’t comprehend the reason why
Then a little boy returning to his seat
From the men’s rest room stall
Stopped right in front of me, and said,
“Why he doesn’t look mean at all”
I smiled at him and said, “No, son,
I am not the boogey man
Just someone travelling about
Trying to get a meal if I can
I’m sorry if I disturbed your peace
I am not trying to make a stand
I saw the restaurant sign from the road
And I am hungry, you understand
If you can overlook the simple fact
That my skin is a different color than yours
I promise I will do no wrong
Then get back on my tour”
“That’s okay, Mister, I don’t mind
I’m not scared like everyone else
I was told I should love everyone
The same as I love myself”
“Well the person who taught you that
Is certainly a very smart woman or man
And if they are in this room,
Well, I would like to shake their hand”
“Sure, Mister, it was my Dad
And you can come sit and eat with us
I think if you weren’t sitting all alone
There wouldn’t be so much fuss.”
The little boy took my hand
To everyone else’s surprise
The Dad stood up and shook my hand
With a twinkle of pride in his eyes
“I guess my boy learned his lesson well
Though the rest of us did not
How to welcome a stranger to our town
I guess we all forgot”
Everyone went back to their meals
And the fear just passed away
Thanks to a polite little boy
Whose innocence saved the day
Copyright © Joe Flach | Year Posted 2011
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