Skin as dark as coal
As black as ash
Extinguished from burning
Skin as light as bone
As white as stone
A heart unfleshed, entombed
This constricting whiteness, the word we give that heavy power, laden with guilt and silence
Such a subjective, particular species of evil
White skin on trial; opening proceedings and throats constrict,
“I can’t breathe”
Can you?
At this rendering of justice
