The Power of Black – Poems on Humanity , Social Cause , Poverty , Women Empowerment – Volume 2 by Nikhil Parekh - HTML preview

35. COLORED

I was completely brown when I was born; emitted my first cry, 

As my mother hoisted me high in the air towards the almighty; asking him to bless me with fairer complexion. 

I was completely brown when I matured into youth; shedding all innocence of childhood, 

And didn’t possess the faintest streak of white on my demeanor; making it easy for people to sight me in the crowd. 

I was completely brown in sunlight; as acrimonious rays of the sun struck my persona, 

Refrained to impregnate a darker texture in my skin; stood unfazed as the tumultuous heat took its tyranny. 

I was completely brown when I had an attack of severe cold; with loads of mucus dribbling down my nose, 

And every unleashing minute that unfolded; prompting me to thunderously sneeze. 

I was completely brown when burglars entered my dwelling; pilfering handsome amounts of currency, 

Threatening me to divulge secrets; marauding my intricate documents placed by the golden lamp. 

And I remained completely brown when I  died; relinquishing my final terrestrial breath, 

Simply didn’t change color; nor did allow any other shade to blend with my perpetual brown. 

{1} 

While when you were born; you had a snow white complexion of the skin, 

And your mother praised you in elders with bombastic flattery; feeling blessed to have you white. 

When you matured to youth; you acquired a silken tan to contrast with

your white, 

Making you the darling of furtive philanders; with a battalion of young men dying to court with you. 

When you were in dazzling light of the celestial sun; you acquired a distinctive tan, 

Coating your supple face with profound lines of black; inundating your skin with yellow freckles. 

When you had an attack of severe cold; prompting you to blow your nose umpteenth times in an hour, 

Your skin turned crimson red; with infinite patches in your neck developing disdainful allergy. 

When nefarious burglars invaded your house; your face transited to a deathly white, 

Seemed immensely pallid; with your resplendent color fading like the day unveils itself into the morbid night. 

And when eventually you departed for your heavenly abode; your complexion changed to nimble blue, 

Kept changing to darker perspectives of blue; with your fairness now converted to obnoxious filaments of variegated  color.  

and yet after all this; you had the impetuous audacity to call me colored !