"Yo soy Raza"
Sometimes I want to shout
Unfortunately I can't
cause I'm white from inside out

Oh, but to be brown
skin, hair, and eyes
for that Latin blood to run my veins
to be birthed from Mexican thighs

I'd've grown up speaking Spanish
con mis padres y mi hermano
could've played soccer in the street
instead of practicing piano

I would have my own culture
a history to cling to
abuelos to remember the old days
and my own style of music to swing to

Dia de los muertos I would celebrate
and a rich catholic heritage be mine
instead for me it's labor day
and Baptist sermons all the time

Think of it, my own type of food
and stores that sell it in the mall
how often do you see, "White Food For Sale"
Most often, not at all

And sadly, I am white
as pale as sauerkraut
with histories of Welsh and Irish descent
and no stories of being kept out

But in my mind there dwells
a closet minority
who's skin is brown as chocolate
and is discriminated against easily

To disrobe from this colorless flaccid form
and don a much darker hue
and be a Mexican from inside out
would be my dream come true

AcB 12.31.97