Monochrome Childhood

When I was young with tiny bones,

I felt a longing in my soul.

To pick a palette just for me,

but blacks and grays were all I’d seen.

*

Newly born with truer sight I tried to reach up toward the sky,

but the world shown light straight threw my eyes

and it burned so bad that I went blind.

Until shadow kept me safe at night.

Until I learned only time would make it right.

*

So now I slowly paint my skin

and hope the colors match within,

cause even if I cannot see

I’ll still always be truly me.

In color is where I’m truly free,

and I know those tiny bones would still agree.