The Stare
Is It True...or Am I False?
My fault, I guess...
You let me pass
leaving your wife ahead of you
(in my head, more stress).
*
You smiled; me too.
What else could I do?
Claim racism; yell and scream?
I walked away from you.
*
It feels like a dream
(imagine all that steam
spouting from my ears)...
Things are not what they seem.
*
I only know my fears;
I learned it over the years:
a small gesture, more or less,
creating hidden tears.
*
Note: this is based on some recent incidents I have had to face here. I felt as though people were treating me differently because of my race, and my radar, after many years of experience, just went off over one particular incident where I felt that a couple saw me as a threat right outside my own home.
At least I got this poem...
-K. D.
*
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About the Creator
Kendall Defoe
Teacher, reader, writer, dreamer... I am a college instructor who cannot stop letting his thoughts end up on the page. No AI. No Fake Work. It's all me...
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Comments (13)
This is heartbreaking to me, I want to say I sympathize/ empathize but I'm sorry to say I may never genuinely understand this struggle! I'm sorry this is a burden of yours, my friend! 💚
Will the world ever wake up......
Really powerful piece, Kendall! Captured so much in a few lines especially the way “subtle” gestures scream some loud biases
I’m sorry this happens
Great!
What a great way to express yourself. It does suck’s, sorry you have to continue to go through that. It’s seems that problem the world has will never change.
My daughter is black/cuban and small at 27 years old. I raised her in Sweden from 6 years old when we moved abroad from the USA. My experience is, if she says it felt bad, racist then it's so. I never question her radar and don't question yours. You have to stay in tune so as you walk out the door. It's messed up but it's reality. Sending you a big hug.
I'm so sorry you experienced this. It truly sucks big time. Sending you lots of love and hugs ❤️
Heartfelt and relatable 💓
I feel you man. One of the worse is when you see people sitting in their cars and lock their doors because you just happen to be walking to your car close to them. I don't want you, your car or anything in it. Relax!!! If you are that paranoid, why wasn't it locked before?
Argghhh! I’m sorry. I know, because of my interracial long marriage. People are ignorant.
Feeling you here. Been in the position to feel out of place too. Heartfelt, and many blessings.
I've found myself in the "wrong " neighborhood and know how uncomfortable that feels, but by your own home, it's ridiculous.