Shades

Pale, dusty clouds

ripple and swirl like brush strokes

on the painted canvas of the sky:

a sunset of lilac, turquoise, and guava.

A juicy mango sun droops above

like dripping honey

golden

bathing your skin in a warm amber glow

as the lips of the sun

part to reveal dusk

emerging from an

empty rift of ebony.

Stars speckles the night sky

like the freckles on your skin

clusters of moondust

that rival the sun

as it contends to shine.

The inky black night surrounds us

sweet and rich like cocoa and coffee

like your smooth, dark skin in shades of

olive

maple

honey

cinnamon

mahogany…..

black and brown and tan

glowing

beautiful.