Colors

 

Warm colors
The color of flesh
From pale white to near black
Pearl, blush, tawny, olive, cocoa
What a resplendent ocean of color!
They shimmer harmoniously
upon the waves of prosperity and hope.
They move independently,
each with its own seminal language,
yet with the ability
to function as one-
the human machinery-
insurmountable,
exquisitely formed,
opalescent,
unremitting,
ALIVE!
No one part any less important
than another.
Each well-oiled with the blood
of their fore fathers and mothers
wearing the badges of
sacrifice and injustice,
courage and dignity.
Each with their own uniqueness,
well-crafted and intricately made,
brought together under the banner of
Democracy,
unified by freedom and liberty,
with an intractable will
and mutual respect,
formidable yet compassionate.
The lady with the torch still beckons,
draped in technicolored robes
straddling amber fields
and murky waters,
weapons of mass unification
hidden under her tattered skirts
that threaten to overcome.
The torch waits to be relit.
“Come and find solace here!”
she declares.
From pale white to near black.
Warm colors.
The colors of flesh.
The colors of America.

Enough

Am I enough?

When you look at me what do you see?

Am I young enough?  Pretty enough?

Smart enough?  Rich enough? 

When you look at me do you see 

 The glow of youth long surrendered?

The shadows of childish endeavors?

Or do you see the battle scars;

The crevasses of time I wear on my face; my body? 

When you listen to me do you hear

The intelligence of my mind?

The wisdom and compassion of my years?

Or do you hear something different-

Unlike your mind, your thoughts?

Do you hear what you expect to hear?

Do you hear me at all?

When you speak to me do you

Speak with your whole heart?

With respect?  Equality?  Authenticity of being?

When you speak to me do you speak to me

As if I were important?

Or do you speak above me?  Down to me?  At me?

When you experience me do you 

Feel good about you? 

Do you feel safe?  Encouraged?  Valued?

Do I show you respect?  Compassion?  Love?

Though I may sometimes fall short 

I will always value you

And should you sometimes forget

Or get busy with living

I will forgive you as I forget too.

But never forget:

WE ARE ENOUGH