I'm Sorry

forgot for a moment
That your skin was dark
And mine was light.

I watched as I walked.
I was entranced by your joy
As you discovered
My favorite statue.

I laughed inside as you
Shared some private joke
With your friend,
And I forgot.

I forgot that Africans
Held my ancestors as slaves
More than two millennia ago.

I forgot that the light skinned
Held your ancestors as slaves
More than one hundred years ago.

I saw only your joy
So I smiled as you looked up.
Your face said it all.
You had not forgotten.

am sorry,
I forgot for a moment
And saw you only as human.

© 1996 Melanie Johnson

Melanie welcomes your comments!

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