melanin’s burden

words by Bhavya, art by Judy Zhao

first, the color brown enters the classroom,

its grotesque presence lingering around

fearful eyes. then, the dreadful glances forced

the unlovely sight back to its cocoon.

though my mother’s stories were filled with gloom,

somehow i chose to believe i had drowned

out the horror to which this skin was bound.

yet, abandonment will quickly consume

your skin. channeling the burden of judge-

ment’s gaze, it turns to pearl powder cream jars.

as you lather on dreams of belonging, 

lightening your face dampened its courage.

soon, shades of self-loathe would always trouble

me, the butterfly forever waiting.