I know I have no right to stand here

and attempt to speak for my sisters

and brothers of colour.

I stand here in awe to applaud

their strength and their courage,

their patience in the face of 

relentless abuse.

 

As a child I was picked on,

excluded, abused;

I was ginger with freckles.

But now I am grown,

I doubt I’ve been ever

turned down for a job

or a house,

OK, maybe a date or two,

for my colour.

 

I have had but a peep, a wee hint,

just a glimpse

of the blindness of ignorant fools,

the hurt and the horror,

the terror of being the one

who is different

but really the same.

 

I know I have no right to stand here

and attempt to speak for my sisters

and brothers of colour.

I stand here in awe to applaud

their strength and their courage,

their patience in the face of 

relentless abuse.

 

My dear fellow humans.

Were we all not born

as tender and fragile,

as needing of love, to be held?

Now we stand for what we believe, 

and I stand for solidarity.

I stand with my sisters

and brothers of colour,

not to speak over, or for,

those who speak for themselves.

I stand to applaud.

These words are my standing ovation.

 

© Janey Colbourne 2018