Mama's Skin

Mama’s skin is a different color

But that’s the only difference I see

Between Mama and me.

In the mirror,

I see Mama’s same nose,

Her deep brown eyes,

That crinkling smile,

Her dark mane of curly hair,

Looking right back at me.

But our skin is the difference.

Mama’s skin’s like milk chocolate

Or coffee with cream.

A beautiful blend of blessed melanin.

My skin’s like the sand on a sun kissed beach.

Peaches and cream,

With olive undertones,

Thanks to Mama.

Mama’s skin is a different color

And that’s the only thing they see

When they look

At Mama and me.

They don’t see our deep eyes,

That same button nose,

Or our crinkling smiles.

They don’t see that same hair,

Flowing down,

As we stand side by side.

They see Mama’s skin.

And they tell me,

That I don’t look like Mama.

They see my skin.

And they tell me,

That there’s no way

I could ever look like Mama.

All they see is the color.

They don’t look past to see,

Everything else is the same,

Between Mama and me.