It's funny, I saw the prettiest of little girls complaining about the color of her skin. She's too pale. she hates her white skin, she said. She doesn't like the color blue. She wishes that her eyes were black or brown... Normal. When I was a kid growing up in my neighborhood, that skintone wasn't very common. We were brown, black, yellow......... Puerto Rican and Haitian. I had a real good frÃend of mine, one of the crew, everybody, even his kin, we all called him "Blue"(sup Jean?). We all had a crush on a girl named Desiree, who lived down the street. She was green-eyed, Redbone. Looked like a "princess of hope" in the hood. We were proud of what we were, but fantasized about a life as white. I guess we just associated happiness with being white or of lighter skin. As if doors would magically open if our skin was of a little lighter hue. Had some Cuban friends that could pass for white.. Till they spoke. So they didn't. "Man, if I was white I would drive a BMW, and I would buy my wife a Volvo". "Have a big o'l crib". Most of the girls in our neighborhood would go to the Chinese stores to buy hair. "Good" hair. Blondes and sometimes even greens. Gotta love a dark-skinned blonde. A real good friend of mine from Jamaica, was blessed with the gift of green eyes. Seemed like he could get any girl that he wanted. "Man, I would to if I had your eyes". Heard he's got a couple kids with a white girl now. "Snow-bunnys", in our neighborhood, were like trophies. Meant you knew something about the world that the rest of us didn't. Meant that you were breaking some sort of imaginary boundary. "once she goes brown, she'll be on the bus everyday to come downtown". "Why we always treat you good when you in our the hood, but we get looked at like crooks when we're in yours"? Must be the white-picket fences. Now you see the hidden beauty in a dark complexion. The golden from the sun's reflection. Do you see the drops of sweat on her back.? Like honey, her pain being the sweetest nectar. Once we were looked at down, with a frown. Skin colour unpleasant to the ignorante eye. "To sit with us here, at the same table would be disrespectful, don't they have their own place that they can go be themselves at"? But you love our women though. Thick thighs, thick lips and big eyes. For some reason now it's appreciated and sometimes even envied, underneath your dispise. He says he doesn't like ethnic women. Well, He lies. Tables have turned about one hundred and eighty degree. Slowly but surely they're opening their eyes, but first we have to overcome the other one hundred and eighty degrees left of lies. -L.A.G.
L.A.Guevara
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Skin tones
CATEGORY
just different
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WarriorCarryingWater says: real talk! |
OTHER POEMS WRITTEN BY L.A.Guevara
Bedroom WindowFrom the 3rd floor of my apartment flat, I see the world. As from a pier, I watch the pond and all its minnows. All types of humans cincronized to traffic noises lullabies. I might of seen you walking by, as I sat and looked out through my bedroom window. You wouldn't notice him until it's too late. He moves a rodent in the shadows scavenging for scraps to fill his pockets. Saw something shine inside and broke the glass, quickly ran away to hide it. Addiction runs deep through his vains, it left his mom a widow. I've seen him feed his habit, F#ck$ng rat. Seen em, as I looked out though... My bedroom window. Amazing how they make their rounds, with pistols in their hands so proud. The 15th and the 30th, they're out to save the city. Police badges tend to dull, once corruption takes a hold. They no longer shine so pretty. With a violent look, and subtle threats, you're indirectly asked to part with hard-earned cash. Masters of innuendo. I've witnessed how pigs break their vo...  |
Missing pieceI wreak havoc on my own life. A martyr, a sacrifice. On a daily basis, I attack myself. I am my own enemy. So I inquire as to why all the animosity. I hate myself deeply. My screams will remain unheard. I will not let you see my weaknesses. Helpless I will remain. Surrounded by misery and sorrow. I feel like I belong here. Loneliness, my old friend never leaving me. Are you feeling me? Are you feeling better now that you are not alone..? Read the following : You ever wanted to feel happy, just out of curiosity? “How can you miss something that you’ve lived your whole life without experiencing, entirely� It not being something that you’re familiar with. So you fall helplessly in search of… In hopes to find what is missing. The missing piece. But today I awoke feeling differently. Something snapped. And I realized that there’s no one in this world that can replace what’s incomplete in me. Let me explain, you see that missing piece is n... |
Un/commonI put the seat down, flush the toilet and wash my hands before I leave the restroom. Nowadays it’s something seen uncommon. “I can’t wash my hands with my cellphone in one.. Duh. I’ll do it when I get home, If I get the chanceâ€. I try not to bump into people. At least not because I was texting on my phone.. While walking. I pay attention and watch where I’m going, enjoying my surroundings. Nowadays it’s unnatural, it’s something seen uncommon. I’m an introvert but I’m whacky though, I exhibit extroverted behaviors. Weird , like speaking to people. "Good afternoon,..“excuse meâ€. Sometimes I dare ask questions like: “how’s it goingâ€? Why are you so shocked ? “strangers are speaking to meâ€. It’s 2018 and civility has suddenly became uncommon. Was I in a coma ? Is my cat, OK ? Common sense is no longer common. I’ll text you good morning while your lying next to... |
Skin tonesIt's funny, I saw the prettiest of little girls complaining about the color of her skin. She's too pale. she hates her white skin, she said. She doesn't like the color blue. She wishes that her eyes were black or brown... Normal. When I was a kid growing up in my neighborhood, that skintone wasn't very common. We were brown, black, yellow......... Puerto Rican and Haitian. I had a real good frÃend of mine, one of the crew, everybody, even his kin, we all called him "Blue"(sup Jean?). We all had a crush on a girl named Desiree, who lived down the street. She was green-eyed, Redbone. Looked like a "princess of hope" in the hood. We were proud of what we were, but fantasized about a life as white. I guess we just associated happiness with being white or of lighter skin. As if doors would magically open if our skin was of a little lighter hue. Had some Cuban friends that could pass for white.. Till they spoke. So they didn't. "Man, if I was white I would drive a BMW, and I would ... |