I was invisible

Just like the day before

I roam the halls

but these folks never see me

I am met with no simple greetings

though I meet their gaze

I wonder why no one will

recognize my existence

Perhaps the key is commonality

Perhaps if my eyes were like the ocean

and my hair dyed with sunshine

Could you see me then?

Is it because of how my skin

turns gold under the sun

Because of how my lips

plump outward

Because of the height

of my cheeks and the

melanin coating my eyes

Is it because seeing me

comes with strings attached

That must be it

You don’t wanna see me jump

at the sound of a siren

You don’t wanna feel my anguish

when yet another brother is shot dead

You don’t wanna to taste bitter tears

You don’t wanna know how far I’ve come

You don’t wanna love hair natural

You don’t want the vexation

of justice not served or the

longing for opportunity never possessed

Because..

Perhaps..

It's easier that way

So tomorrow I’ll be invisible

Just like the years before

I’ll make something of myself

And these folks will never see me