SKIN TONE

I can tell you don't want
to make eye contact,
and it's Ok.

There's no need to clutch your
purse in that way, I would never take
what's not mine. I wear no gloves.
I was raised better.
I have a mother I love.

I will only sigh and wish you well.
I am just a guy, I am not your hell.

With the slightest smile,
I will forgive your ignorance,
stereotypes
have nutured a fear of people
like me, to a certain degree.
People made
to atone for their skin tone.

Some of many umbrellas
blocking the Sun.

We will pass one another,
with nothing said, nothing
learned, but something done.

With social impunity,
a missed opportunity.

If you look you'll see
a different world.
The dawn of a new day.
where it is safe enough
to put the umbrellas away.