Chameleon

I’m labelled yellow, sometimes specifically a banana

Yellow on the outside but white tendencies within

I laugh with the jokes as I assimilate into their lifestyle

It’s my upbringing so I want to belong

My fair counterparts wear hats to protect against sunburns

I do to deflect the sunlight from my ink black hair

My hairstyle is still the same straight, midnight shade

While they experiment with trending highlights and waves

I tan into opaque couche while they turn bronze

Cute freckles splay across their sun-kissed skin

Their blue or green or hazel eyes shine with mirth

None have eyes that are as brown as mine

I sip on iced peach tea and make my own mocktails

I lack the enzyme to metabolise alcohol

My cheeks will flush red from the drink rather than the sun

While they’ll cool down with iced beers and cocktails

They usually eat delicious roasts, vegetables and BBQs

Chicken parma is still their classic pub fave

My dishes are steamed, quickly mixed with chopsticks

Which are best served with fluffy, white rice

They play football, golf, or cycle along the luscious terrain

They enjoy long road trips to find the perfect surf

My fingers dance across the black and white keys of a piano

I stay indoors, water my plants, yet never pale

But instead of searching for colours on the surface

Look within and discover your true identity

Examine your intentions and appraise your actions

Because I, and everyone else, are multifaceted