Triad of Illusions
I. Illusion of Freedom
In air we fall free, bound
by earth that holds us captive.
We live by cycles -
day, night
cold, hot
rain, sun
love, hate
the seasons.
Gravity humbles us and
freedom is an illusion
II. Illusion of Wisdom
We lie in all honesty for
kernels of truth hurt
our ego.
We deny a God whose
air we breathe
whose image we wear and
spirit we bear
and judge ourselves thinkers.
The universe confounds us;
wisdom is an illusion
III. Illusion of Equality
Race is a front runner. More
subtle poisons wreak havoc.
Colorism and ethnicism
kill more dreams than
color; fight is misguided.
For independence we reap guilt
and blood-stained hands are
the prize of liberty.
For every right won, we do more wrong.
When will understanding come?
Equality is an illusion -
the end that may someday end us.
Categories:
colorism, color, god, life, religion,
Form: Free verse
My first Dollie was white
It sat on the lap of Papa's mahogany chair
I looked closer and saw blue eyes
A miniature mannequin, she was thin
Was it a sin I stood not smiling? But turned within
Filled with joy, the color of my skin was Cadbury brown
My Christmas gift to me all along
Dark girls I meet were pretty and sweet
If they were poor, I loved them more
My brother's first love was an Ebony dove
She was the color of my love
Nobody told me I was beautiful
On our way to sea, I felt it
A nappy haired doll; hand in hand
With my teacher, Miss Daphne, on the pier
I felt a touch, warm as Carib' breeze
It was the arms of God saying I was His
Of Her, my Jamaican Mama wedded to my Papa in Belize
Where mahogany speaks
Mys second dally was brown
She made me smile, and lingered long
peering into iris of her eyes
It was deeper than colorism
It was first pool my spirit plunged in
It soothe my soul
My friend, Denise Taylor was white
Eyes the color of chocolate
Her curls bounced gaily as we skipped to school
Her mood I always savored, was jelly sweet treat
She painted me a picture of light in all its glory.
*
Categories:
colorism, growing up,
Form: Free verse