To Be Raised a Different Shade





Ayanna Rhodes, Washington International School
Art by Jazzmin Imani, Georgetown Day School



Switch

(Published: 2019)





Stranded, aggressive black-

Splotch on the page.


Switch


“We don’t speak the same tongue”

“Your mind’s bleached this ain’t home”


Switch


You are neither, no fit, at the core

You’re diluted.


Switch


Lightened skin and hair worn back

Sides, myself, should switch be tween


Break


Pushed away by every side, so cruel.

Yin and Yang both leave me colorless.



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