Comfortable
I think I make you comfortable
at first
My light skin helps draw you in, makes you think
we are similar
enough
I can always tell when you notice the hair
Thick, dark, complicated
It’s when you realize
I am not
exactly like you
So where are you from?
Texas.
But where are you really from?
Dallas.
I watch as you become less
comfortable
Your weight shifts
Your smile shrinks
You change the subject
We discuss the weather instead
Quick, simple, straightforward
It’s supposed to rain tomorrow
Even though it was sunny today
We cover the entire week’s forecast
comfortable
Then the game continues
You should join our committee
We could really use someone like you
Someone
like
me
I ask what that means, even though
I know what that means
Someone
comfortable
You tell me that you
Value my voice and
My diverse perspective
All I did was talk about the weather
I ask
What about the teacher from Colombia?
Or the Black math teacher?
They have more experience
They have been here longer
Why not them?
It happens again
Your weight shifts
Your smile shrinks
But we already talked about the weather
So the final buzzer sounds
because you know
I won’t let you be
comfortable
