Does the world care if it’s light or dark when the rain falls?

Does the world care if it’s light or dark when the grounds quake?

Does the world care if it’s light or dark when the plants die?

No.

Does society care if it’s light or dark? No.

Does society care if it’s light or dark? No.

Does society care if it’s light or dark? Yes.

Bus seats suddenly feel heavier when the weight of

direction pulls light and dark to different sections

of the bus. February feels like the longest month

when the only heroes they care to put on pedestals

are the same year after year. Streets at night are scary

when the only thing threatening me is blue and red lights

and the repetition of “Serve and Protect”

Last week I went to sleep and dreamt of monsters with dark fur and dark eyes.

Last week I went to sleep and dreamt of yellow hair and blue eyes saving me.

When I woke up, I realized I never went to sleep.

I betrayed my pigment by wishing it were lighter,

I betrayed my curious coils by wishing they were straight,

I betrayed my identity by wishing it were whiter,

We betrayed our identity by wishing it were whiter.

Last night I went to sleep and dreamt of a motherland.

Last night I went to sleep and dreamt of a stolen land.

Last night I went to sleep and dreamt of colored seas.

Last night I went to sleep and dreamt of colored seas, and walls.

Last night I went to sleep and dreamt of colored hurricanes.

Last night I went to sleep and dreamt of colored hurricanes and copious rainbows.

This morning I woke up, and I could not stop seeing rainbows,

behind white clouds.