Paper White

As the mirror taunts me

With kinked brown locks

And weary hazel eyes

That forever scrutinize,

Pale skin glares back,

Blinding in the morning rays.

“Paper White”

I used to call it,

But that’s an exaggeration.

More like “Peaches n’ Cream”

Though the fruit is marred

With blemishes and freckles…

I’ll just claim it’s organic.

 

But in that ghostly appearance

Rests a history…

A history just begging to be told,

Of those whose traits I,

And my children.

And my children’s children

Will showcase to the end of our line.

 

Did those founders crawl from the bottom

On their hands and knees

Up that long, steep staircase,

Littered with the shattered glass shards

Of strife wrought revolution,

Their blood mixing with the browning stains

Of those that preceded them?

 

Or did they take the smooth path,

Walking barefoot in their privilege

Boldly, upon the backs of those born

With a darker complexion

Or ostracized  beliefs,

Refusing to look down at the sound

Of pained screams

And broken cries for compassion?

 

How much pride can be shown

In that empathetic gaze

When the culture that we sail

Is built upon an ocean of tears

Of those we oppressed

In our greedy ambition?

 

I gaze back

At that looking-glass face,

All snowy with luck

The occasional patch of ground showing

And all I can think

Is that there is no sense

In all this odious conflict

When we all bleed the same

Shade of crimson.

Author's Note

It feels like it has been forever since I have written poetry, but this just came to me the other night. Hope you guys like it.

Reviews

[PoeticChico]

"How much pride can be shown
In that empathetic gaze
When the culture that we sail
Is built upon an ocean of tears
Of those we oppressed
In our greedy ambition?"

This is more than a poem in my opinion. This is more like a plea for peace, because apparently our human race does not learn from the past. I was so captivated by this poem, from the first word to very last one. You are a great writer my friend. I could feel the intensity and agony you were trying to convey on this well written, masterful piece of Art! Great Work!
100/100

[Ashira Macy]

Thank you so much. This poem just spilled out of me one day, and I honestly wish is wasn't in such a deep writer's block right now, because it is such an outlet. I am so glad that you enjoyed and related to it.

[PoeticChico]

Well, hopefully you give us something equally amazing soon!

[Celestial Witch Child]

Very powerful. The imagery hits hard and clings to your memory. I always do love reading your poetry. You are extremely gifted and it shows in every piece. Well done.

[Matching Socks]

Very moving images Ashira. Good to see you back.

[Ruth]

Fantastic imagery woven...a slice of the chaotic and life, layered so well, poignant xo

[Delmar Cooper]

This says to me that the "white man's burden" is not the care and feeding of the "lesser" humans among us, the conventional wisdom of colonialism, the burden is guilt for where are because of where we were.

[Mayank]

its very deep and nicely written, love the way it flows and the comparisons in the piece.

[John Ryan]

As the mirror taunts me
With kinked brown locks
And weary hazel eyes
That forever scrutinize,

truly great lines
love your writing

[Sami Khalil]

"In all this odious conflict
When we all bleed the same
Shade of crimson."

The ending summed up the human dilemma marvelously. An excellent poem and message...:).................

[AaronFreitas]

Very nice poem... I love the way you give detail but leave so much to the imagination and interpretation of the poem. Really like the lines "A history just begging to be told,Of those whose traits I, And my children.
And my children’s children Will showcase to the end of our line." Awesome poem, really enjoyed reading it out loud.

[willweb]

This piece is very deep in the questions it raises. Some darkness fades into the light of your words. Very cool.

[Zeitgeist Manifesto]

This piece raises some serious Questions...