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!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

definitely like it...the oppression that is the history of us when we came to america...what we did to the native americans....all that we did, that our ancestors did...perhaps that is the complexion of things, and the blemishes we see when we look into the mirror....we see more than just us...we see a long, long, tumultuous past.
love the line "walking barefoot in their privilege..."

good stuff here.

jacob

[Pushkar Prabhat]

very thoughtful............
every society has its share of revolution, sacrifice and evil. we all need to question ourselves.
brilliant poem!!!
i loved it!!
:)

[Einstein Noodle]

race has certainly been in the news of late .. so many issues related to oppression .. i have never been one to worship the sun .. never wear shorts .. even to this day .. use to joke with friends that skinny white legs are cool .. to say such things these days is a risk .. sensitivity seems stretched way too thin .. i think the mirror works well .. and a woman's perspective doesn't interfere with interjecting myself into your poem .. so i am able to read it on the inside as well as out .. i also appreciate the references to ones generational history .. i think it is so important and adds much flavor to your poem .. glad you are back writing Ashira! .. and may i take this oportunity to wish you a very merry Christmas! :)
E.

[Sanjh]

It is beautiful Ashira. This poem is very thought provoking and touches you at different levels.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful piece of art...:)

[Kringefest]

A very truthful poem! It held so much verity and flow. Well done.

[anne]

This is amazing..for me divided in layers yet same appealing...
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 took my attention the most..great write..so nice to see you Ashira...:))

[Sindu]

The conflicts of past resolution left behind a mark. Whether it can be erased or not, the pain can be helped with. Whether the difference of skin or soul, place or time; all eat, live, fight and die. You crafted an intricate picture of the inner turmoil the present face due to past but it's time to move above all this. Amazing work Ashira.. reads beautifully aloud. It felt like a voice than words on a screen.

[Rene Salinas]

There is a moment when the precious individuality needs celebrating. That's becuase we all carry within a part of the seed. The outcome unknown of course and it would be boring if we did know how things end, in terms of creativity then, here a manifestation of what seems to be looking at the past but also the desire to want to know how much more will this thread have to last into the future as it is getting "boring". The words are very intimately crafted I felt immerse in your inner world ( I was allowed - I'm not that creepy). But the message to me what shines the most as sure we're all blessed with individuality but the nearly Sheakspeareance realazation at the end "do i not bleed when you cut me?" and then transfrmed into the plural "Don't we all bleed the same?" makes for unity and desire for change.

End the senseless cycles.

Thank You.

[Coyote Poetry]

Good to read your poetry. The poem honest and direct. I liked the questions brought to life in the words and the true ending. We do bleed the same. No weakness in the excellent poetry.
Coyote