Dark Skin
A poem by Michael Cromwell
Soothing, tempered, absorbing
The Sun, making it its own.
Earthy and rich, taming Nature,
Human nature, bringing emotion
And discontent, under control
By disarming the owner of his
Or her invective. Dive in and
Swim in the currents of Dark
Flesh. It is like the Womb, all
Over again, for those who seek
Its comfort, and joy. White skin does
Not have it, red, yellow or brown. Sorry!
No mulatto or quadroon can qualify either,
But deep dark and Black, you've seen it, maybe tried
to turn
Away, wondering why He created "ugliness,"
While the ugliness is in You,
Viewer, for thinking such thoughts. The next time then
When you see an African, a West Indian, a Southern
Black, or an "intact" Negro anywhere else,
Mark your reaction quickly,
So it will not carry you into existential shame, then
For a moment if you would, become that Hue and then
walk the planet itself,
As a giant,
As if the planet were your very own.
The earth, your very footsteps
Will not feel the same.
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