Mom was the color of white sand You were the color of the earth When it came to my skin I was reflection of her But when I wrinkled my face A smile or a frown I was a mirror image of you As time went on I noticed How differently you were treated I never understood why Until I grew up and realized You were unable to do what the rest of us did Camouflage It broke my heart in two As I grew I made a decision To become radiant enough To blind those who Would look upon you with distaste And so I began Turning my clenched fists into polite words Turning my angry tears into charming smiles Turning your broken words into poetry I planted a seed of doubt Made them question what they saw And what can't be explained Fades into the background And it was in this way way That I protected you Like you always have me But no matter how much time passed When we are alone In the fortress of our home Your scars still make my blood boil The words they used against you The ones you so casually brush off Make me see red And through your face which is so much like mine I am reminded time and time again That when I bleed, it's brown