the color of my skin is yellow
i feel sick, and i feel bad
for being disgusted
it’s not your fault
you were raised to be rude
discourteous and disrespectful
how could you know
how can i tell you

the color of my skin is red
i'm blushing, embarrassed
i don’t usually speak back
but i don’t regret calling you out
as you pull back your eyes
and teach me my language
i don’t need to get back on a boat
this is my country, too

the color of my skin is black
being pushed to the ground stings
but it’s okay, i’ll be fine
i can wash my face
put a bandaid on my knee
it will take you longer to mend
your broken prejudices
don’t be afraid

the color of my skin is iridescent
it is a gradient of my heritage
all the people who have been
and will be, reflected in the tones
of my skin which cannot be defined
by the wedges of a color wheel
i am no more any of these colors
than you are white