Differently Different

A paper and a pen I need a few to tell stories of my pain Not of what has passed But of that which is to come If this isn’t a curse tell me what it is Pink skin yet of my father’s race No melanin even on the hair on my face I fear the sun, it doesn’t favor my kind I fear the dark; it plays games with my mind And I fear my own people, That I’m a man they don’t mind "People-phobic, I thought they were brothers " Maybe not anymore because they have places to go, Houses to build, cars to buy, A life to live, food to dine; Because they think I am the gateway to Jacuzzis That my bones are a fortune worth taking a life for I was only born different as my purpose was, different Should I scream? Should I mourn? Should I call the pastor to do my eulogy? Should I be waiting for another sunset? Maybe bid farewell to the melodies from the air? How long should I be living in terror? For we never know, who and when it will be Brothers are slaying brothers Whom shall I trust? The police? Who is to blame? The neediness? Should I cover my skin from the sun? And hide my skin from your sons? If I had dark skin, I would breach To save my skin, and ease mama’s worries But this pale cocoon will take me to the grave Save me, I am a son and a brother too I am a mother, and a patriot too I have dreams, and a future ahead I am just different, and not the “Capital”