Sure to tick off the White Separatists and the Black Separatists and… go ahead, give me your best shot in the comments section! Just remember, if you burn a cross on my lawn, my husband is a pastor, so you’ll look really dumb. Amy
NATURAL BRONZE
In Sunday School we were taught
subtle suburban racism
“Red and yellow, black and white
They are precious in his sight”
Less a melting pot than a box of crayons
Let’s lay it down:
We’re all shades of brown.
Humans began in one place
Call it Garden of Eden
Cradle of Civilization
Where the Aliens Landed and Changed Stuff
It was Africa, and we all know it
Some roamed to the north and
their penance was loss of melanin
Climate, diet, you can’t deny it
Beige, buff, tan, taupe
Copper, bronze, sienna
Native Americans are not colored henna
Asians aren’t yellow
(nor are they “inscrutable,” so stop saying that)
Africans aren’t black, but ink is
And this page is white.
If we were made in God’s image,
why do we pick creation apart with prejudice?
Questioning God… the eternal flaw, the ever-present sin
© 2010 Amy Barlow Liberatore/Sharp Little Pencil
Sharp Little Pencil 
Mary
An interesting poem, Amy. I do know that the ‘colors’ attributed to races are TOTALLY inaccurate! Example: An African American woman I worked with and I once put our arms next to each other. MY arm was darker than hers. “Black” in color? No way! And I have yet to see a really ‘red’ or ‘yellow’ or ‘white’ person either. Yup, we’re all brown. Agreed.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks for seeing it that way, Mary! Also, I have a friend who’s black, and we say, “Palms up!” Because when we show our palms, or the bottoms of our feet, we’re all the same color. Yay! Glad you liked it. Amy
Tilly Bud
What a great idea!
leesis
on a particular star trek series the aliens refer to humans as ‘pink-skins’ I kinda like it…relates to the color of our palms…all of us.
Why do we pick creation apart? I wish I were a poet…I’d try and answer that.
Sharp Little Pencil
Yeah, I feel like I was just getting started by posing that conundrum. Sometimes I think it’s because we want answers, proof… but mostly, we pick apart when we feel that all-too-human need to be RIGHT. That’s why I don’t question race or gender or anything… my questions are about power, about authority, about how much effect the “love of money” truly IS “the root of all evil.”
I don’t believe people are inherently mean or evil. I think they learn what they are taught, then, once they get out into the world, they either choose to expand, to fall into statis, or to contract. And those who contract tend to be the bigots, the racists, the power-hungry souls. I pray for them, I really do, not in a condescending way, but pray that they will see the world as all of us having a common responsibility, a common world, and common roots… Thanks, L. Amy
Tilly Bud
I read a poem about racism and the last line always stuck with me, though I can’t remember the poet:
Black isn’t classed as a colour; but you can’t say the same about pink.
Sharp Little Pencil
Wow, great line. I googled it but could not reference the poet. While googling, I did find an amazing article dealing with the American census, which still asks respondents to classify their race. (I checked “other” and wrote in AMERICAN, even though I’m as Anglo as can be. The reason? I want this country to get the hell over it. The more we define people by the color of their skin or their heritage, the more our government continues to run under a paradigm of racism.)
http://www.tnr.com/article/politics/census-nonsense
Mary
This poem might also work well with the Poets United Think Tank prompt today on Equality!! Think about it.
Sharp Little Pencil
Wow, thanks for this, Mary. I have so many prompts to check in on… I usually don’t do them all, but at least two or three call to me each week and I will respond. Just joined Poets United and will post there. Thanks again. Your blog is a true joy, Mary, and so are you.
Peace, Amy
Debbie Feller
So much beauty here, in the poem and in your heart! 🙂
Sharp Little Pencil
Debbie, I’m touched. I was sure I was going to get negative feedback, but I suppose, since my readership is mostly creative, thoughtful people, they share my point of view. I will now visit your blog to see what you’re up to! Peace, Amy
Tilly Bud
I have enjoyed this poem the most of all of yours that I have read. I admire the sentiment as much as anything else. I love how you explore what colour is not.
Sharp Little Pencil
Thank you so much, Tilly! I’m actually flagging the poems that receive the best feedback from fellow poets for future chapbook use.
And I didn’t think of it that way (exploring what color is NOT)! What a valuable insight. Thank you so much for that. The second pair of eyes always catch something the writer didn’t, and that’s why I value feedback so much.
Your poetry rocks and I will continue to visit you, too! Peace, Amy
Sherry Blue Sky
I so love this poem and love your comment further down: “I want this country to get the hell over it”. Yay – fist raised high, big smile on my face! Fantastic take on the prompt….
Sharp Little Pencil
Sherry, thou rockest mightily! Thank you so much for your comment. The Rev and I laugh all the time about “terrorist fist bumps,” we do them every time we score a victory. Which isn’t often, politically, these days… but more often than during the past administration.
You know, the real color we should be squabbling about it GREEN. Maybe this calls for another poem…?
Sharp Little Pencil
Went on your site – same thoughts, but yours are expressed with such compassion, such love… tried to leave comment but don’t know if it “took,” so please know how much I loved your take on this prompt. A.
Carrie Burtt
I love this….so much truth, and spoken beautifully!
Dr. Pearl Ketover Prilik
Really enjoyed Natural Bronze both in style and sentiment and of course “truth in poetry” … I will continue to believe the “times they are a changing” even if the changes are incremental and will continue …as long as there are those such as you who are willing to speak up and out….loud and clear … filled with your unique brand of exuberance for life and the entire palette of life’s colors.
Sharp Little Pencil
And you, PKP, are no slouch in dealing with truth and honoring all people. You are a kaleidoscope, Pearl… swirling with life and beauty. I’m so blessed to have you as a comrade both in poetry and in friendship! Amy
Judy Roney
Interesting poem that makes me think and that is a good thing. I like the end.. Why do we pick apart creation with prejudice. I agree one hundred percent. Prejudice of any kind is just not right.
Irene
Interesting poem Amy. We write about colors but we’re not colorists!
Sharp Little Pencil
Like writing about race but not being racists? You know, someone objected (in a group discussion) to the idea of a “color-blind society.” She said, and I understood where she was coming from, “When you see me coming, I WANT you to see that I’m black.” And I told her the difference is, “I see that you are black, but I don’t make any assumptions based on your color, just as I hope you don’t think I’m a ‘cracker’ because I’m Anglo.” It’s a touchy subject, but I tend to “go there” in my work.
Thanks for a great comment, Irene! Do you have a blog?
Katherine Shaw Poetry
Great wording, very truthful piece. Kx
Sharp Little Pencil
Katherine, thanks so much for your compliment. Will get over to your blog and take a look! Peace, Amy
Sally Hutt
ViV, on Sally’s computer.
I wrote a poem in similar vein – about what colour is NOT – and was told it was too obvious and preachy. Yours is absolutely NOT, and very well worth the saying. I love the idea of comparing hands and feet!
Sharp Little Pencil
Viv, I’ll check your blog for the poem. I cannot imagine someone saying that about your poetry! You have excellent taste. Will go over to your blog (listed on my “I Love These Poets” list, and I only put poets there when I really admire their work) and comment there about said poem.
Glad you liked mine, but sorry it was a bittersweet prompt for you. And yes, hands and feet. “Palms up, baby!” Peace, A
pamela
Amy I love this poem!
Pamela
Sharp Little Pencil
Thanks, Pamela, that means a lot in so many ways. I’m glad folks liked this one; I put it on WWP and Poets United. Peace, Amy
Bubi
Yeah that’s what I’m talking about babn–yice work!
uponthewingsofnight
Truth in poetry=truth to power, and vice versa. Brett