A Filipina Sonnet

Each gulp of crisp air feeds my reservoirs of life

Sunlight bathes my brown skin and my eyes drink

So often clouded by what others think

My skin is my skin, aside from the cacophonous strife

The wind brushes my black hair gingerly

I smile, my red lips glisten like sun on snow

Hate, separate from me, comes and goes

And I look at my brown skin and black hair hoping for liberty

My skin is my skin, warm toned, warm blooded

Generations of south pacific heritage

On my flag, blue, white, sun, stars, red

I am Filipina, I am Asian, my skin is my skin

Tears shed for struggle, but tears shed for strength

My heart shines valiantly like a rainbow, a prism